DES MOINES METROPOLITAN AREA

The 'Des Moines metropolitan area', officially known as the Des Moines-West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), consists of five counties in central Iowa: Polk, Dallas, Warren, Madison, and Guthrie. The 2000 census population of these counties was 481,394, and the 2006 estimated population was 534,230.^[1]
Two additional counties, Jasper and Marion, are part of the Des Moines-Newton-Pella Combined Statistical Area (CSA). The area encompasses the separate micropolitan areas of Newton (Jasper County) and Pella (Marion County). The total population of the CSA was 550,659 in the 2000 census and 604,626 based on 2006 estimates.^[2]

Contents

Historical definitions

References

Historical definitions

Polk County was originally the only county in the Des Moines metropolitan area when the United States Bureau of the Budget (now the United States Office of Management and Budget) began defining metropolitan areas in 1950. Warren County was added in 1973 and Dallas County was added in 1983. ^[3] Guthrie and Madison counties were added in 2003 after metropolitan areas were redefined. In 2005 the area was renamed the Des Moines-West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area after a special census showed that West Des Moines had topped the 50,000 mark in population.^[4]

References

1. Population Estimates and Components of Population Change for Iowa's Metropolitan Areas (2003 Definition): 2000-2006 Iowa Data Center
2. Population Estimates and Numeric and Percent Change for Iowa's Combined Statisical Areas (2003 definition): 2000-2006 Iowa Data Center
3. Historical Metropolitan Area Definitions United States Census Bureau
4. Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses United States Office of Management and Budget