Population 2,148 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of South Park: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in South Park
Household size in South Park
| Period | South Park | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.55 | 2.51 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.50 | 2.56 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.54 | 2.55 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.12 | 2.52 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.43 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in South Park are small: just 2.12 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has dropped from 2.55 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in South Park
| Period | South Park | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.4 | 36.2 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.6 | 36.7 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.6 | 37.2 | 39.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.2 | 37.6 | 39.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.9 | +1.4 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
The median resident of South Park is 37.2 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The Des Moines area as a whole looks much the same. Compared with other Des Moines neighborhoods, though, South Park is older than most.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in South Park
| Period | South Park | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.9% | 10.2% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.9% | 11.1% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 24.7% | 10.9% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.0% | 11.2% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | +0.9 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in South Park: 16.0% of all households, against 11.6% nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in South Park
Renters in South Park
| Period | South Park | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 51.1% | 27.3% | 26.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 47.9% | 29.3% | 28.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 40.5% | 30.3% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 52.6% | 30.5% | 28.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +3.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in South Park rent: 52.6% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among owners, 46.3% have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Few Des Moines neighborhoods have a higher share of renters: only two of 22.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in South Park
| Period | South Park | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.0% | 7.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.6% | 7.2% | 8.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.1% | 7.2% | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.4% | 7.0% | 8.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | −0.7 pts | +0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in South Park: 7.4% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. The picture is much the same across the Des Moines area.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in South Park
| Period | South Park | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1965 | 1976 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1967 | 1977 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1979 | 1969 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1964 | 1983 | 1971 | 1980 |
| Change | −2 | +7 | +6 | +6 |
South Park is a place of older homes: half were built before 1964, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Compared with other Des Moines neighborhoods, though, South Park has newer homes than most.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in South Park
| Period | South Park | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $601 | $808 | $669 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $721 | $899 | $732 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $760 | $986 | $821 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $977 | $1,210 | $1,020 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$376 | +$402 | +$351 | +$606 |
The median renter in South Park pays $977 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent takes 31.4% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Few Des Moines neighborhoods have lower rents: only two of 22.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in South Park
Bachelor's degrees in South Park
| Period | South Park | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 33.6% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 35.5% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.6% | 37.1% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.5% | 40.3% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.0 pts | +6.6 pts | +5.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in South Park: 18.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in South Park
| Period | South Park | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.5% | 91.9% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.1% | 92.8% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 75.5% | 92.7% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 82.4% | 92.9% | 93.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +1.0 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in South Park never finished high school, well above the national share: only 82.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. South Park has a lower share of high school graduates than most Des Moines neighborhoods.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in South Park
| Period | South Park | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.3% | 4.8% | 5.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.1% | 3.8% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.1% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in South Park runs well above the national rate: 9.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only one other Des Moines neighborhood has higher unemployment. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
South Park compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Park | 2.12 | 37.2 | 16.0% | 52.6% | 7.4% | 1964 | $977 | 18.5% | 82.4% | 9.1% |
| Fort des Moines | 2.64 | 34.2 | 13.2% | 32.7% | 8.9% | 1960 | $960 | 21.0% | 75.2% | 3.5% |
| Pioneer Park | 2.63 | 31.4 | 24.1% | 52.2% | 6.1% | 1983 | $1,110 | 18.3% | 73.8% | 7.5% |
| Indianola Hills | 2.40 | 35.8 | 17.3% | 33.8% | 11.0% | 1955 | $1,189 | 20.3% | 87.5% | 4.5% |
| Greater South Side | 2.30 | 40.2 | 10.5% | 20.5% | 4.8% | 1957 | $1,152 | 22.8% | 94.2% | 4.4% |
| Bloomfield-Allen | 2.84 | 37.2 | 14.7% | 16.8% | 5.8% | 2001 | $1,357 | 27.9% | 88.2% | 7.3% |
| Downtown Des Moines | 1.34 | 28.0 | 7.7% | 90.5% | 12.6% | 1985 | $1,283 | 67.0% | 94.4% | 4.0% |
| Southwestern Hills | 2.24 | 40.1 | 8.7% | 38.3% | 6.0% | 1977 | $1,121 | 48.6% | 93.9% | 4.2% |
| Fairground | 2.74 | 33.4 | 18.6% | 19.6% | 10.2% | 1940 | $1,117 | 14.8% | 78.5% | 8.1% |
| Capitol Park | 3.14 | 36.6 | 26.8% | 39.3% | 11.2% | 1945 | $1,084 | 15.1% | 80.5% | 8.6% |
| River Bend | 2.73 | 35.7 | 22.1% | 49.2% | 17.9% | 1944 | $934 | 9.9% | 69.0% | 4.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Gaffney Lane, Oregon City, OR · Bryce Canyon North, Oxnard, CA · Arrowhead Park, Brick, NJ · West Sharyland, Mission, TX · West Lake Sammamish, Bellevue, WA · San Jose Forest, Jacksonville, FL · O'Fallon, St. Louis, MO · Charles Page, Tulsa, OK · Centerville Historic District, Centerville, OH · Campus Commons, Sacramento, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up South Park. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.