How did Des Moines-Ames vote in the 2024 presidential election?

Des Moines-Ames voted Republican in 2024 with a margin of R+9.9. Kamala D Harris received 283,449 votes and Donald Trump received 346,757 out of 641,578 total votes cast, a 4.5-point shift toward Republicans from 2020.

What is Des Moines-Ames's political history?

Des Moines-Ames has 40 presidential elections on record, spanning 1868 to 2024. Democrats have won 13 and Republicans 27 of those contests. The largest single-election swing was 43.5 points in 1932.

What are the demographics of Des Moines-Ames?

Des Moines-Ames has a population of 4,451,935 according to the 2020 Census. The racial composition is 86.7% non-Hispanic white, 5.5% Hispanic, 3.1% Black. About 30% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median household income is $58,422.

Which places are most similar to Des Moines-Ames?

Based on demographic and electoral similarity analysis, the three most similar media markets to Des Moines-Ames are Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City & Dubuque, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Grand Rapids-Kalmzoo-B.Crk. Similarity is computed using a vector embedding of demographic, economic, and electoral characteristics.

Live · Media market

Des Moines-Ames

Iowa's largest media market, where suburban drift reshapes statewide margins

The Des Moines–Ames market anchors Iowa's political center of gravity, blending a state capital, a Big Ten university town, and fast-growing Polk County suburbs that have trended competitive in recent presidential cycles.

Presidential margin · 2024

Data unavailable for this race.

Race data unavailable

Geography

Race data unavailable

No current race for this office.

2024FIPS 679

Population4.5M

Median ageU.S. 38.9y

37y▼ 1.9

Bachelor's+U.S. 35%

29.8%▼ 5.2

White86.7%
Hispanic5.5%
Black3.1%
Two or more2.9%
Asian2.6%
Other1.9%

Trajectory · 2008–2024

Des Moines-AmesBaseline

Cycle2024

Open in Cartographer

Constituent Counties

Open in Cartographer

Similarity Explorer

Similar media markets

Reads like Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City & Dubuque, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Grand Rapids-Kalmzoo-B.Crk.

8 visible matches

Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City & Dubuque

Small-town rural republican 3

R+1.7

Similarity score93%

Minneapolis-St. Paul

Educated rural competitive

D+5.5

Similarity score88%

Grand Rapids-Kalmzoo-B.Crk

Small-town rural republican 3

R+8.6

Similarity score87%

Columbus, OH

Small-town rural republican 3

R+3.2

Similarity score83%

Kansas City

Small-town rural republican 3

R+1.3

Similarity score82%

Indianapolis

Small-town rural republican 3

R+11.9

Similarity score82%

Peoria-Bloomington

Small-town rural republican 3

R+12.3

Similarity score81%

La Crosse-Eau Claire

Small-town rural republican 3

R+7.9

Similarity score80%

Constituent Geography

Counties in Des Moines-Ames

2024 presidential results across the counties that make up this geography.

Sort:

County	Pop.	Margin	Dem	Rep	Total	Share
Polk	503K	D+10.8	140,075	112,240	256,838	10.0%
Polk	459K	D+10.8	140,075	112,240	256,838	10.0%
Polk	416K	D+10.8	140,075	112,240	256,838	10.0%
Polk	375K	D+10.8	140,075	112,240	256,838	10.0%
Dallas	108K	R+4.7	29,402	32,374	62,961	2.5%
Story	100K	D+10.3	26,765	21,665	49,526	1.9%
Story	95K	D+10.3	26,765	21,665	49,526	1.9%
Story	85K	D+10.3	26,765	21,665	49,526	1.9%
Story	80K	D+10.3	26,765	21,665	49,526	1.9%
Dallas	78K	R+4.7	29,402	32,374	62,961	2.5%
Dallas	57K	R+4.7	29,402	32,374	62,961	2.5%
Warren	54K	R+20.6	12,712	19,486	32,804	1.3%
Warren	48K	R+20.6	12,712	19,486	32,804	1.3%
Warren	44K	R+20.6	12,712	19,486	32,804	1.3%
Dallas	41K	R+4.7	29,402	32,374	62,961	2.5%
Marshall	41K	R+15.5	7,134	9,815	17,270	0.7%
Warren	41K	R+20.6	12,712	19,486	32,804	1.3%
Webster	40K	R+31.1	5,641	10,850	16,748	0.7%
Marshall	40K	R+15.5	7,134	9,815	17,270	0.7%
Marshall	39K	R+15.5	7,134	9,815	17,270	0.7%
Marshall	39K	R+15.5	7,134	9,815	17,270	0.7%
Webster	38K	R+31.1	5,641	10,850	16,748	0.7%
Jasper	38K	R+27.5	7,141	12,701	20,198	0.8%
Jasper	37K	R+27.5	7,141	12,701	20,198	0.8%
Webster	37K	R+31.1	5,641	10,850	16,748	0.7%
Webster	37K	R+31.1	5,641	10,850	16,748	0.7%
Jasper	37K	R+27.5	7,141	12,701	20,198	0.8%
Jasper	37K	R+27.5	7,141	12,701	20,198	0.8%
Marion	34K	R+37.6	5,928	13,289	19,566	0.8%
Marion	33K	R+37.6	5,928	13,289	19,566	0.8%
Marion	33K	R+37.6	5,928	13,289	19,566	0.8%
Marion	32K	R+37.6	5,928	13,289	19,566	0.8%
Boone	27K	R+21.4	5,895	9,199	15,403	0.6%
Boone	26K	R+21.4	5,895	9,199	15,403	0.6%
Boone	26K	R+21.4	5,895	9,199	15,403	0.6%
Boone	26K	R+21.4	5,895	9,199	15,403	0.6%
Mahaska	22K	R+51.4	2,577	8,207	10,946	0.4%
Mahaska	22K	R+51.4	2,577	8,207	10,946	0.4%
Mahaska	22K	R+51.4	2,577	8,207	10,946	0.4%
Mahaska	22K	R+51.4	2,577	8,207	10,946	0.4%
Carroll	21K	R+41.8	3,153	7,814	11,140	0.4%
Carroll	21K	R+41.8	3,153	7,814	11,140	0.4%
Carroll	21K	R+41.8	3,153	7,814	11,140	0.4%
Carroll	21K	R+41.8	3,153	7,814	11,140	0.4%
Poweshiek	19K	R+16.9	4,067	5,758	10,013	0.4%
Hardin	19K	R+38.3	2,553	5,790	8,460	0.3%
Poweshiek	19K	R+16.9	4,067	5,758	10,013	0.4%
Poweshiek	19K	R+16.9	4,067	5,758	10,013	0.4%
Poweshiek	19K	R+16.9	4,067	5,758	10,013	0.4%
Hardin	17K	R+38.3	2,553	5,790	8,460	0.3%
Hardin	17K	R+38.3	2,553	5,790	8,460	0.3%
Kossuth	17K	R+44.0	2,284	5,983	8,397	0.3%
Madison	17K	R+38.5	3,008	6,864	10,028	0.4%
Hardin	17K	R+38.3	2,553	5,790	8,460	0.3%
Hamilton	16K	R+33.2	2,482	5,004	7,597	0.3%
Madison	16K	R+38.5	3,008	6,864	10,028	0.4%
Hamilton	16K	R+33.2	2,482	5,004	7,597	0.3%
Kossuth	15K	R+44.0	2,284	5,983	8,397	0.3%
Madison	15K	R+38.5	3,008	6,864	10,028	0.4%
Hamilton	15K	R+33.2	2,482	5,004	7,597	0.3%
Kossuth	15K	R+44.0	2,284	5,983	8,397	0.3%
Hamilton	15K	R+33.2	2,482	5,004	7,597	0.3%
Kossuth	15K	R+44.0	2,284	5,983	8,397	0.3%
Wright	14K	R+36.4	1,770	3,853	5,723	0.2%
Madison	14K	R+38.5	3,008	6,864	10,028	0.4%
Appanoose	14K	R+46.5	1,686	4,704	6,484	0.3%
Wright	13K	R+36.4	1,770	3,853	5,723	0.2%
Appanoose	13K	R+46.5	1,686	4,704	6,484	0.3%
Wright	13K	R+36.4	1,770	3,853	5,723	0.2%
Wright	13K	R+36.4	1,770	3,853	5,723	0.2%
Appanoose	13K	R+46.5	1,686	4,704	6,484	0.3%
Union	13K	R+36.1	1,874	4,044	6,013	0.2%
Union	12K	R+36.1	1,874	4,044	6,013	0.2%
Appanoose	12K	R+46.5	1,686	4,704	6,484	0.3%
Union	12K	R+36.1	1,874	4,044	6,013	0.2%
Union	12K	R+36.1	1,874	4,044	6,013	0.2%
Guthrie	11K	R+37.8	1,974	4,446	6,543	0.3%
Calhoun	11K	R+46.7	1,328	3,708	5,097	0.2%
Guthrie	11K	R+37.8	1,974	4,446	6,543	0.3%
Franklin	11K	R+41.6	1,393	3,431	4,900	0.2%
Guthrie	11K	R+37.8	1,974	4,446	6,543	0.3%
Guthrie	11K	R+37.8	1,974	4,446	6,543	0.3%
Franklin	11K	R+41.6	1,393	3,431	4,900	0.2%
Franklin	10K	R+41.6	1,393	3,431	4,900	0.2%
Humboldt	10K	R+49.9	1,236	3,770	5,083	0.2%
Greene	10K	R+32.9	1,603	3,211	4,881	0.2%
Calhoun	10K	R+46.7	1,328	3,708	5,097	0.2%
Franklin	10K	R+41.6	1,393	3,431	4,900	0.2%
Calhoun	10K	R+46.7	1,328	3,708	5,097	0.2%
Calhoun	10K	R+46.7	1,328	3,708	5,097	0.2%
Clarke	10K	R+41.9	1,265	3,140	4,479	0.2%
Humboldt	10K	R+49.9	1,236	3,770	5,083	0.2%
Humboldt	10K	R+49.9	1,236	3,770	5,083	0.2%
Humboldt	10K	R+49.9	1,236	3,770	5,083	0.2%
Greene	9K	R+32.9	1,603	3,211	4,881	0.2%
Lucas	9K	R+48.0	1,169	3,400	4,646	0.2%
Lucas	9K	R+48.0	1,169	3,400	4,646	0.2%
Clarke	9K	R+41.9	1,265	3,140	4,479	0.2%
Clarke	9K	R+41.9	1,265	3,140	4,479	0.2%
Greene	9K	R+32.9	1,603	3,211	4,881	0.2%
Clarke	9K	R+41.9	1,265	3,140	4,479	0.2%
Lucas	9K	R+48.0	1,169	3,400	4,646	0.2%
Lucas	9K	R+48.0	1,169	3,400	4,646	0.2%
Decatur	9K	R+46.9	957	2,711	3,739	0.1%
Greene	9K	R+32.9	1,603	3,211	4,881	0.2%
Pocahontas	9K	R+53.9	796	2,727	3,582	0.1%
Decatur	8K	R+46.9	957	2,711	3,739	0.1%
Adair	8K	R+44.9	1,086	2,916	4,080	0.2%
Decatur	8K	R+46.9	957	2,711	3,739	0.1%
Monroe	8K	R+50.5	1,002	3,104	4,158	0.2%
Monroe	8K	R+50.5	1,002	3,104	4,158	0.2%
Decatur	8K	R+46.9	957	2,711	3,739	0.1%
Monroe	8K	R+50.5	1,002	3,104	4,158	0.2%
Pocahontas	8K	R+53.9	796	2,727	3,582	0.1%
Adair	8K	R+44.9	1,086	2,916	4,080	0.2%
Monroe	8K	R+50.5	1,002	3,104	4,158	0.2%
Adair	7K	R+44.9	1,086	2,916	4,080	0.2%
Adair	7K	R+44.9	1,086	2,916	4,080	0.2%
Pocahontas	7K	R+53.9	796	2,727	3,582	0.1%
Pocahontas	7K	R+53.9	796	2,727	3,582	0.1%
Taylor	7K	R+55.7	666	2,381	3,081	0.1%
Audubon	7K	R+38.3	970	2,214	3,249	0.1%
Wayne	7K	R+57.1	643	2,426	3,124	0.1%
Wayne	7K	R+57.1	643	2,426	3,124	0.1%
Taylor	6K	R+55.7	666	2,381	3,081	0.1%
Wayne	6K	R+57.1	643	2,426	3,124	0.1%
Wayne	6K	R+57.1	643	2,426	3,124	0.1%
Taylor	6K	R+55.7	666	2,381	3,081	0.1%
Audubon	6K	R+38.3	970	2,214	3,249	0.1%
Taylor	6K	R+55.7	666	2,381	3,081	0.1%
Audubon	6K	R+38.3	970	2,214	3,249	0.1%
Audubon	6K	R+38.3	970	2,214	3,249	0.1%
Ringgold	5K	R+51.3	638	2,015	2,686	0.1%
Ringgold	5K	R+51.3	638	2,015	2,686	0.1%
Ringgold	5K	R+51.3	638	2,015	2,686	0.1%
Ringgold	5K	R+51.3	638	2,015	2,686	0.1%
Adams	4K	R+44.1	576	1,517	2,135	0.1%
Adams	4K	R+44.1	576	1,517	2,135	0.1%
Adams	4K	R+44.1	576	1,517	2,135	0.1%
Adams	4K	R+44.1	576	1,517	2,135	0.1%

140 countiesTotal votes: 2,566,312

Historian Query

Ask the Historian

Explore Des Moines-Ames's political evolution with the Historian

“How has the Des Moines-Ames media market voted in presidential elections?”

Race & Ancestry

Who Lives Here

A race-first Census view with ancestry expansion where source coverage is strong enough to support detail.

Des Moines-AmesCensus ACS 2024Ancestry detail available

Census race profile

Major Census race and ethnicity groups shown as a share of total population.

Expand rows for ancestry detail

White (Non-Hispanic) 86.7%Hispanic 5.5%Black 3.1%Asian 2.6%Multiracial 1.9%

Group	Des Moines-Ames	National
▶White (Non-Hispanic)(13)	86.7%	57.4%
▶Hispanic / Latino(17)	5.5%	19.3%
▶Black / African American(12)	3.1%	12.2%
▶Asian(6)	2.6%	6.0%
Multiracial / Other	1.9%	4.0%
▶Middle Eastern / North African(8)	0.3%	0.9%
▶Native American / Alaska Native(1)	0.2%	0.9%

Method notes

Census treats race and Hispanic/Latino origin as separate questions. Race categories other than Hispanic reflect total populations (small Hispanic overlap in Black, Asian, AIAN, NHPI). “Multiracial / Other” is derived as a non-overlapping remainder.

Click rows to expand ancestry detail. Ancestry from ACS B04006, B03001, B02020, B02016. Totals may differ from race — individuals can report multiple ancestries.

Black / African American (estimated remainder) is derived as Black population share minus reported Sub-Saharan African and West Indian ancestry. It is shown as an estimated ancestry detail, not a standalone Census ancestry category.

MENA estimated from ancestry reporting — Census does not have a separate MENA race category. Not shown in bar (overlaps with other race groups).

Religious Adherents

Population that are religious adherents:

41.5%(508.5K people)

U.S. Religion Census 2020

Browse all religions

Tradition	% Pop	% Adherents	US Pop	US Adherents
Mainline Protestant	14.8%	35.7%	—	—
Catholic	12.1%	29.2%	—	—
Evangelical Protestant	11.3%	27.2%	—	—
Other	2.6%	6.4%	—	—
LDS (Mormon)	0.9%	2.1%	—	—
Black Protestant	0.6%	1.3%	—	—
Orthodox Christian	0.1%	0.2%	—	—
Non-religiousPopulation	58.5%	—	—	—

Click the chevron to expand denominations. Tradition and denomination rows label both share of total population and share of all religious adherents. Non-religious is shown as a share of total population only.

Explore Mainline Protestant adherence nationally

Who lives in the Des Moines-Ames media market? 4,451,935 residents across 140 counties.

Demographic Comparison

Demographics

Read this geography's profile in three layers: local, state (where available), and national baseline.

Export CSVPro

Des Moines-Ames vs National4.5M residents

Population & electorate

Scale, voting-age share, and this geography's footprint inside the national electorate.

Total population

Local vs state vs U.S.

4.5M

local

4.5MNational 334.9M

Share of U.S. population

Local vs state vs U.S.

1.33%

local

1.33%National 100%

Voting-age population

Local vs state vs U.S.

38.9%

local

38.9%National 75.7%

Economic profile

Income, attainment, and ownership indicators that often shape coalition structure and turnout behavior.

Median household income

Local vs state vs U.S.

$58,422

local

$58,422National $83,960

Poverty rate

Local vs state vs U.S.

10.6%

local

10.6%National 12.5%

College degree

Local vs state vs U.S.

29.8%

local

29.8%National 35.6%

Homeownership

Local vs state vs U.S.

70.8%

local

70.8%National 65.2%

Community profile

Age structure, language use, and nativity signals that explain how this geography differs from state and nation.

Median age

Local vs state vs U.S.

37.0 yrs

local

37.0 yrsNational 39.1 yrs

Age 18–29

Local vs state vs U.S.

13.2%

local

13.2%National 15.7%

Age 65+

Local vs state vs U.S.

11.7%

local

11.7%National 17.0%

Foreign born

Local vs state vs U.S.

5.6%

local

5.6%National 14.1%

Non-English at home

Local vs state vs U.S.

8.4%

local

8.4%National 22.2%

English only

Local vs state vs U.S.

91.6%

local

91.6%National 77.8%

Voter Turnout

Turnout in Des Moines-Ames

Turnout % = votes cast ÷ citizen voting-age population (CVAP). Source: CVAP Special Tab 2020-2024.

2024 Turnout

71.6%

vs Previous

-0.1pp

Eligible Non-Voters

255K · 28.4%

Citizen VAP

896,221

History

1988–2024

Ticket-Splitting

Do voters in Des Moines-Ames split their tickets?

Divergence between offices in the same election reveals persuadable voters.

ConsistencyHeavy splitting (26/100)

2022 Office Comparisons

Offices	Margin A	Margin B	Split
Senate vs Governor	R+8.4	R+14.3	5.9pp

Average divergence across office pairs: 13.6pp

Containing Geography

Located In

Des Moines-Ames sits inside these higher-level geographies.

Iowa(State)

Upgrade Path

Unlock Media Market Analytics

Advance from the public dossier into precinct-level, insight-rich district intelligence.

Target plan Pro$33/mo

Precinct data, Smart Insights, full history, and export controls tailored to place pages.

Precinct-Level Data

See results for every neighborhood and voting precinct

Smart Insights

Automated highlights from recent election patterns

Full Historical Access

165 years of election data at every level of geography

CSV Exports

Download any table or chart as a CSV file

Upgrade to Pro$33/mo