Local servicesHospitalUnityPoint Health - Methodist West Hospital4.3 miPost officeWest Des Moines Post Office3.1 miTown hallWest Des Moines City Hall1.5 miPoliceWest Des Moines Police Department1.7 miFire stationWest Des Moines Fire Department Station 18under a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi2 schools1 elementary, 1 highElementaryJordan Creek Elementary School1.3 miHighValley Southwoods Freshman High School1.4 miCollegeDrake University6.5 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportDes Moines International Airport DSM4.9 miInterstateI-351.7 miUS highwayUS 65.1 miAmtrakOsceola, IA OSC35 miCoachDes MoinesJefferson Lines8.1 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 50265 ZIP area.
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Local Information
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 50265 ZIP area.
Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 11 min5:41 am – 8:52 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 10 min7:38 am – 4:48 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People33,488 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 37.414,769 householdsMedian household income $85,915Median home value $281,800Median rent $1,106 a month66% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $4,462 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting2.3% unemployment rate69% of adults are in the labour force, 18,220 employedMain industries: education and health care 21%, finance, insurance and real estate 18%, professional and business services 14%Average commute 18 minutes73% drive alone, 7% car-pool, 1% take public transport, 16% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages52% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher96% finished high school, 17% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 88%, Spanish 5%, other Asian or Pacific languages 2%, Arabic 1%7% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 86°F, lows 66°FColdest month January: highs 31°F, lows 14°F37 in of rain a year, on about 66 dayswettest month June37 in of snow a year, on about 25 days22 days above 90°F, 128 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Des Moines Intl Ap station, 5 mi away
Nearby landmarksWalnut Woods State Park Campgroundscampground · under a mileDale Maffit Reservoirreservoir · 3.0 miLake Colechesterlake · 4.3 miLake Country Clublake · 5.3 miDrake Universitycollege · 6.5 miDenman Woodswoods · 4.9 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsWalnut Woods State Parkstate park · under a mile · 231 acresRaccoon River Parkpark · under a mile · 697 acresHidden Valley Soccerpark · 1.0 miSaylorville Lakerecreation area · 8.5 mi · 86 acresBadger Creek State Recreation Areastate recreation area · 9.3 mi · 177 acresMargo Frankel Woods State Parkstate park · 11.2 mi · 133 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively ModeratePolk County, IA, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsStrong wind Very HighTornado Relatively HighHail Relatively HighHeat wave Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality61% of days had good air in 2025224 of 365 days measured139 moderate, 2 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 44, worst day 136main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, Polk County monitors, IA
Internet at home94% of households have a broadband subscription80% have cable, fibre or DSL10% rely on a mobile data plan alone3% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterWest Des Moines Water Worksserves 73,959 people from surface water purchasedNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation851 ft259 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
