Des Moines is one of the few points along this shoreline where the topography facilitates access to the water, and a recreational marina operated by the city, with moorage, boat launching and pier fishing facilities, is located there. Saltwater State Park, located on a steep ravine between the Zenith and Woodmont neighborhoods, is the most used state park on Puget Sound. Near the border of Federal Way, Redondo has a boardwalk and aquarium.
History
What was to become Des Moines was first explored by Europeans on May 26, 1792, during the exploration of British naval Captain George Vancouver on his flagship HMS Discovery. The first Americans to visit the area were part of Charles Wilkes' Expedition.
The first known settler was John Moore, who probably arrived circa 1867. His homestead claim certificate (#285) was granted on July 2, 1872.
In 1887, F.A. Blasher persuaded some friends in his home city of Des Moines, Iowa, to help finance the development of a town on Puget Sound. The work was done by the Des Moines Improvement Company.[7] In 1889 the area was platted into lots and sold by the Des Moines Improvement Company, which had been incorporated by F. A. Blasher, Orin Watts Barlow, Charles M. Johnson, and John W. Kleeb. Lumber mills provided the community with its primary employment.
Early transportation to Des Moines was by water. The mosquito fleet provided access to Seattle, Tacoma, and Vashon. The first road, the Brick Highway, was completed in May 1916. The first cross-Puget Sound automobile ferry started service from Des Moines to Portage on November 13, 1916. This ferry service continued until September 1921. Before World War II farming fueled the local economy.
Following the war, suburbanization of the community took place. With increased population, the county government was unable to supply the level of service and local control desired by Des Moines residents. In response to these needs, Des Moines was officially incorporated on June 17, 1959.
On December 12, 1969, an F3 tornado injured one person near Saltwater State Park.[8][9] The city's most visible asset is its 838-berth small boat marina, that was opened on May 10, 1970. In 1980, a 670-foot (200 m) concrete and aluminum fishing pier was built at the northern end of the marina.[10]
Property within the city has been the subject of land buyouts because of noise from aircraft landing or taking off from the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, which is located 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Des Moines.[11]
On November 22, 1982, Des Moines annexed the nearby community of Zenith, a farming community founded in 1906 that later became a bedroom community for Boeing workers.[12]
A view of Puget Sound and the Normandy Park cove from the fishing pier
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.408 square miles (19.19 km2), of which 6.414 square miles (16.61 km2) is land and 0.994 square miles (2.57 km2) is water.[3]
Most of the city rolls gently down to the waters of Puget Sound from an elevation of approximately 400 feet (120 m) along the eastern city boundary on Pacific Highway, allowing many homes to enjoy an unobstructed view of the sound and Vashon. The ravines of Des Moines Creek and Massey Creek deeply incise this broad slope.
As of the 2022 American Community Survey, there are 12,369 estimated households in Des Moines with an average of 2.57 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $81,362. Approximately 11.8% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Des Moines has an estimated 63.3% employment rate, with 30.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 88.6% holding a high school diploma.[14]
The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (65.2%), Spanish (14.2%), Indo-European (6.6%), Asian and Pacific Islander (9.1%), and Other (5.0%).
The median age in the city was 38.2 years.
2020 census
Des Moines, Washington – racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the 2020 census, there were 32,888 people, 12,423 households, and 7,854 families residing in the city.[18] The population density was 5,129.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,980.4/km2). There were 13,222 housing units at an average density of 2,062.1 per square mile (796.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 49.44% White, 12.19% African American, 1.15% Native American, 12.74% Asian, 2.64% Pacific Islander, 10.35% from some other races and 11.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 17.70% of the population.[19] 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18, 6.9% were under 5 years of age, and 17.0% were 65 and older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 29,673 people, 11,664 households, and 7,249 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,564.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,762.3/km2). There were 12,588 housing units at an average density of 1,936.6 per square mile (747.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 63.55% White, 9.08% African American, 1.07% Native American, 10.66% Asian, 2.41% Pacific Islander, 7.78% from some other races and 5.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 15.17% of the population.
There were 11,664 households, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.9% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.10.
The median age in the city was 39.4 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 29,267 people, 11,337 households, and 7,289 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,616.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,782.4/km2). There were 11,777 housing units at an average density of 1,857.7 per square mile (717.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 74.15% White, 7.20% African American, 0.96% Native American, 8.28% Asian, 1.34% Pacific Islander, 3.32% from some other races and 4.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.61% of the population.
There were 11,337 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,971, and the median income for a family was $57,003. Males had a median income of $40,007 versus $30,553 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,127. About 5.6% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.
Elementary schools within Des Moines include Des Moines Elementary School, Midway Elementary School, North Hill Elementary School, Olympic Hill Elementary School, Parkside Elementary School, and Woodmont Elementary School (Woodmont is a part of the Federal Way School District).[21][22]
CWU-Des Moines, a branch of Central Washington University, is co-located on the Highline College campus and offers several bachelor and graduate degrees.[25]
The Des Moines Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city of Des Moines, Washington. It employs 30 sworn officers. The police chief will be Ted Boe, the former Chief of Burien.[27]
^Washington State Department of Transportation (2014). Washington State Highways, 2014–2015(PDF) (Map). 1:842,000. Olympia: Washington State Department of Transportation. Puget Sound Area inset. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
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