Moving to or from West Des Moines?
Des Moines' most affluent suburb — home to Jordan Creek Town Center (the largest shopping mall in Iowa), Wells Fargo's operations campus, Hy-Vee corporate HQ, and Valley and Dowling High Schools in top-rated West Des Moines Community Schools.
- 70,000 City population
- 720,000 Metro area
- 1893 Founded
- Des Moines Metro / Polk County Region
Why people move to West Des Moines.
- Hy-Vee corporate headquarters
- Wells Fargo major operations campus
- Jordan Creek Town Center — Iowa's largest shopping mall
- West Des Moines Community Schools (top-rated)
- Historic Valley Junction retail and restaurant district
- Being Des Moines' most affluent suburb
West Des Moines is home to Hy-Vee's corporate headquarters — the employee-owned grocery chain that operates 280+ stores across the Midwest. Hy-Vee was founded in 1930 in Beaconsfield, Iowa, and moved its HQ to West Des Moines. The company's 'Smile' marketing and employee-ownership model (all full-time employees become owners) have made it one of the most-beloved regional brands in the Midwest.
Where people live in West Des Moines.
A quick guide to West Des Moines's most moved-to neighborhoods.
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Valley Junction
Historic downtown with restored buildings and restaurants
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Jordan Creek
Mixed-use area with mall and corporate campuses
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Glen Oaks
Upscale residential with country club
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Wakonda
Established affluent neighborhood
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Waukee (adjacent)
Fast-growing neighboring suburb
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Urbandale (adjacent)
Similarly affluent neighboring city
Where people spend their time in West Des Moines.
- Jordan Creek Town Center Jordan Creek
- Valley Junction Historic District Valley Junction
- Raccoon River Park Central WDM
- Valley Stadium (WDM high school football) Central WDM
- WDM Historical Society Valley Junction
- Iowa Events Center (nearby Des Moines) Des Moines
Planning a West Des Moines move.
- WDM Community Schools drive housing demand significantly
- Downtown Des Moines commute is 15-20 minutes
- Tornado risk is real April-June; most homes have basements
- Cost of living in Des Moines metro is among the most affordable for its size
Moving in West Des Moines: FAQ.
Is West Des Moines the best Des Moines suburb?
Among the top candidates, yes. WDM has top-rated schools, strong corporate HQ employment, and upscale character. Urbandale and Clive are similar. Waukee (immediately west) has been growing fast with newer construction. Many families choose based on specific school feeders — WDM Community Schools include Valley High (consistently top-ranked in Iowa) among others.
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