A: "Da-Moyn." The ‘s’ is always silent.
Q: Is "Des Moines" French or something?
A: Yes. The name Des Moines came from a river early French explorers called "La Riviere de Moingona," most likely derived from the French words "de Moyen" meaning "the middle." The Des Moines river flows through the town today. Despite the lineage of the central city’s name, most Greater Des Moines residents don’t have French backgrounds. About a third of the residents claim German ancestry and another quarter say they have English, Scottish or Irish background. We also have the largest Sudanese population (per capita) and a large Bosnian population. Our Hispanic and Asian communities are growing, as well.
Q: What is "Greater" Des Moines?
A: Greater Des Moines is the term used to refer to the nine-county area around the city of Des Moines. There are a dozen other suburbs and communities within the Greater Des Moines area. Each area remains independent and has its own unique features. They’ve all have banded together to promote the Greater Des Moines area. Besides, using "Greater Des Moines" is shorter than using the 13 city names and 9 county names separated by hyphens.
Q: What is the "Greater Des Moines Partnership?"
A: It’s a consolidation of three groups working toward business development in the Greater Des Moines area — The Des Moines Development Corporation, the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Federation and Choose Des Moines Communities. We’ve consolidated all those efforts under one name, the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Read all about it. We’re also co-located with the Downtown Community Alliance (DCA), a group which specifically works on issues and events in downtown Des Moines.
Q: How many people live in Greater Des Moines?
A: About 492,493 folks live in the five-county area (Polk, Dallas, Warren, Madison & Guthrie) that makes up the Greater Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), according to Applied Geographic Solutions. Estimates for the larger, nine-county area around Des Moines are about 697,500 people.
Q: How many people live in the entire state of Iowa?
A: ACCRADATANOW estimates 2,944,948 friendly, educated Iowans in 2002. (Well ok, a couple of ’em are a little grouchy, but we’re working on them!)
Q: What’s winter in Greater Des Moines like? Because I’ve heard some things . . .
A: Reports of our death in winter have been greatly exaggerated. Winter is beautiful here. It lays a blanket of snow over everything. In fact, some people get downright cranky if there’s no white Christmas. Greater Des Moines is used to dealing with winter. We know how to move snow and keep people going. When it snows, we go sledding and skating or head to the mall. Sometimes it gets very cold, but the average winter temperature in Des Moines is 23 degrees. Besides, you can’t have a spectacular fall and the rebirth of spring without winter in between. It’s a package deal.
Q: Is Des Moines easy to get to?
A: Yes. We’re at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Interstate 80, just a few hours from Minneapolis, Kansas City and Omaha, Neb. Fourteen airlines serve our airport. Find out more about convenient transportation in Greater Des Moines.
Q: What can I do in Greater Des Moines?
A: Tons of stuff, including some things that will surprise you (like opera, rowing and polo). We have soccer (it’s everywhere!) rec leagues, theater, basketball, hockey, baseball, one of the nation’s best art festivals and the world-famous Drake Relays. College sports and events, a world-class art center and more golfing that you can shake your sticks at. Shopping, big time. Get more scoop on playing in Greater Des Moines.
Q: When is the Iowa State Fair?
A: Aug. 11-21, 2005.
Q: How’s housing in Greater Des Moines?
A: Housing in Greater Des Moines is two things: good and affordable (those are two of the best things for housing to be). Median home value is about $130,200, which is more affordable than the national median of $147,500. A two-bedroom apartment averages $638 per month in Greater Des Moines. Check out more information on housing.
Q: Is Greater Des Moines a good place for kids?
A: It’s the best place for kids. We have safe neighborhoods, great public and private schools with the world’s best teachers, worship centers for many different religious faiths, playgrounds and kid-focused events, attractions and programs. Among the least debated attribute of Greater Des Moines is that it’s a great place to raise a family. Greater Des Moines also understands the role of the community in raising children, that’s why we all give our time and money toward projects that help children throughout our cities and state. And we’re not the only ones who think this is a great place to raise a child. In 1998, Greater Des Moines was named the best place in the country to raise children by the Washington, D.C.-based National Council of Children.
Q: Can I get some kind of packet that helps me relocate to Greater Des Moines?
A: Sure. Visit our Regional Resource Center for the freebies or purchase our enhanced relocation packet (including CD) in our online store.
Q: Isn’t Greater Des Moines dominated by agriculture?
A: Perhaps the most F (frequent) of the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). No. Greater Des Moines is not dominated by agriculture. It’s sure a part of our community, and we’re proud of Iowa’s long history and world-famous status as an agriculture center. But we’re also much more, and have been for better than a century. Greater Des Moines’ heritage as an insurance center stretches back to 1867. There were 18 insurance companies in Greater Des Moines by 1884. Today more than 60 companies call it home. Greater Des Moines business diversity usually surprises (and sometimes shocks) visitors. Check it out.
Q: How’s the job market in Greater Des Moines?
A: Hot. Make that cherry red hot. Unemployment hovers between 2-3 percent. If you come to Des Moines with the kind of skills in demand (and that’s a very broad set indeed), chances are you’ll find a job — maybe two. We can help with online job search tools. Read all about it and surf the job listings.
Q: What are the schedules for the Iowa Cubs and Des Moines Menace?
A: Just click the team above to go to their sites for the whole scoop.
Q: What about media in Greater Des Moines?
A: Greater Des Moines is the media center for Iowa. Hundreds of journalists cover every topic, keeping residents well informed of local, regional and national events and spurring debate and community-wide discussion. Rather than run from problems, our tradition is to identify issues that need to be addressed, get them out in the open and then find ways to make things better. That approach has built the quality of business and private life we rave about on this site, and we’re not going to stop any time soon. The media play a crucial role in identifying successes and challenges that the community can focus on. Here’s a listing of area media and links.
Q: Who can I call, write or e-mail for more information?
A: Call, write, send e-mail, fax, send messengers, dispatch carrier pigeons — we love all kinds of communications — to these addresses. Or you can contact the Iowa Division of Tourism, Des Moines Convention & Visitor’s Bureau or the Downtown Community Alliance.
Q: What are the demographics of Greater Des Moines?
A: Here’s the skinny.
Q: Why should my business move to Greater Des Moines?
A: Because you want your business to grow and your employees to love where they live. The two are usually pretty closely linked. Greater Des Moines has all the amenities you need for your business, including help relocating. It also has things that will keep your employees happy, especially those with kids and those who don’t want to pay $24,000 a year to rent a two-room apartment (that kind of money will pay the annual mortgage on your own three-bedroom castle in Greater Des Moines). You and your employees will spend less time fighting the urban hassle and more time enjoying your lives.
Here’s our version of the new math:
Business Advantages + Happy Employees = Greater Des Moines (BA+HE=GDM).
Call the Greater Des Moines Partnership for the full scoop on what’s in Greater Des Moines for your business.