Des Moines is a vibrant dynamic area for new business development. The City is a center for insurance, government, medical, printing, publishing, and retail/wholesale trade, which provides a diverse and strong economic base. Business activity in downtown Des Moines continues to grow (see the What's Happening section).

The 65,000 + people working downtown makes the area one of the highest per capita downtown concentrations in the nation.

Demographics:
Land area of City of Des Moines: 78.1 square miles
Land area of Des Moines MSA: 2,301 square miles

Des Moines MSA personal per capita income (1999): $31,118
State of Iowa per capita income (1999): $25,598

Population of City of Des Moines (2000): 198,682
Population of 9 metro counties (2000): 684,822

Economic Base:
Labor Force: 256,700
Employed: 251,700
Unemployed: 5,100
Unemployment rate: 2.0 percent
(Source: Iowa Workforce Development)

Trade Area: 800,000 + people live within a one hour drive of Des Moines.

Major Industries: Major industries include financial services, insurance, government, manufacturing, trade and service.