CITY · IA

What county is Des Moines, IA in?

Des Moines, IA is mostly in Polk County. County FIPS code 19153, population 505,255 (2023 estimate).

County details

City: Des Moines, Iowa
Primary county: Polk County
FIPS code: 19153
County population: 505,255

Some cities extend into more than one county. Des Moines is placed in the county that contains its center. For a specific address, use the address lookup.

Questions

What county is Des Moines in?

Des Moines, IA is mostly in Polk County.

What is the county seat of Polk County?

County seats are not part of the data on this site. Check the county’s official website.

Can a city be in two counties?

Yes. Large cities such as Houston and Atlanta cross county lines. The address lookup shows the exact county for any street address.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau geographic reference files; FCC Area API; Census Bureau Population Estimates, Vintage 2023. Last reviewed 2026-10-27.