Area data
West des moines, IA — ZIP 50265
Population: 33,488 (Census ACS)
Home values & appreciation
- Median home value
- $314,234
- 1-year appreciation
- +1.3%
- 3-year appreciation
- +6.6%
- 5-year appreciation
- +21.5%
- 10-year appreciation
- +57.6%
- All-time peak (2026-02)
- $315,787
- House Price Index
- 379.0 (+3.7% YoY)
Market activity
- Median sale price
- $218,500
- Median list price
- $212,500
- Median days on market
- 24.5 days
- Sale-to-list ratio
- 99.1%
- Active listings
- 21
- 1-year forecast
- +0.6%
- Days to pending
- 47 days
- New listings (monthly)
- 58
Rents
- Typical rent
- $1,290/mo
- 1-year rent change
- +1.6%
- 1BR fair-market rent
- $1,070/mo
- 3BR fair-market rent
- $1,730/mo
Affordability
- Cost of living index (Low)
- 89.5 (100 = US avg)
- Electricity rate (state-level)
- 13.7¢/kWh
- Natural gas rate (state-level)
- $10.60/MCF
- 30-year mortgage rate (national)
- 6.66%
- 15-year mortgage rate (national)
- 6.00%
Schools
- Total schools
- 8
- Elementary schools
- 4
- Middle schools
- 1
- High schools
- 1
Natural hazards & flood risk
- Overall hazard risk
- Relatively Moderate
- Top hazards
- strongWind, coldWave, drought, hail, heatWave
- FEMA flood zone
- A05
- Flood risk level
- High
Climate (30-year normals)
- Annual precipitation
- 40.7 in
Air quality
- Air quality rating
- Moderate
- Median AQI (annual)
- 52
- Days with Good air quality
- 168
- Days with Unhealthy air quality
- 3
Walkability & transit
- Walkability index
- 12.0 / 20
- Transit service frequency
- 1,094
Amenities
- Nearest airport
- Hobbes Field (4 mi)
- Nearest major airport
- Des Moines International Airport (DSM) (5 mi)
- Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
- 3
- Avg hospital rating
- 3.5 / 5
- Solar radiation rating
- Fair (4.0 kWh/m²/day)
Migration
- Net migration
- -1,132 tax filers
Housing stock
- Median year housing built
- 1,984
- Median annual property tax
- $4,462
- Mean commute to work
- 15 min
- Households with broadband internet
- 80.2%
Employment & development
- Total county employment
- 276,007
- Average weekly wage
- $1,354
- Top industries (by employment)
- Health Care, Finance & Insurance, Accommodation & Food
- Annual residential building permits (county)
- 2,295
Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →
Data last updated
Most recent source refresh: Aug 2026. See all data sources →