Population 46,637 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Urbandale
Household size in Urbandale
| Period | Urbandale | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.59 | 2.51 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.60 | 2.56 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.60 | 2.55 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Urbandale average 2.58 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). Households are largest in the west and smallest in the south. Urbandale has larger households than the great majority of Iowa cities.
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 Urbandale
| Period | Urbandale | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.4 | 36.2 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.1 | 36.7 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.9 | 37.2 | 39.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.3 | 37.6 | 39.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.9 | +1.4 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
At 40.3, the median age in Urbandale is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is older than in the Des Moines area as a whole, where the median age is 37.6. The median age has climbed from 37.4 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Urbandale
| Period | Urbandale | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 10.2% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 11.1% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 10.9% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 11.2% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +0.9 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Urbandale: 7.8% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Compared with other Iowa cities, Urbandale has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
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 Urbandale
Renters in Urbandale
| Period | Urbandale | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.9% | 27.3% | 26.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.0% | 29.3% | 28.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.1% | 30.3% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.1% | 30.5% | 28.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +3.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.1% of households in Urbandale rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About three in ten owners (30.2%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the south; owners are most common in the northeast. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.1 points, mirroring the country.
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 Urbandale
| Period | Urbandale | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 7.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 7.2% | 8.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.8% | 7.2% | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.5% | 7.0% | 8.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −0.7 pts | +0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Urbandale than nationally: 6.5%, against 9.6% for the U.S. 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 Urbandale
| Period | Urbandale | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1976 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1977 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1987 | 1979 | 1969 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1983 | 1971 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Urbandale has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1989, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1985 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
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 Urbandale
| Period | Urbandale | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $965 | $808 | $669 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,109 | $899 | $732 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,083 | $986 | $821 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,300 | $1,210 | $1,020 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$336 | +$402 | +$351 | +$606 |
The median renter in Urbandale pays $1,300 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are higher than in the wider Des Moines area ($1,210). Rent has climbed $336 a month since 2006–10, up 35%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 24.7% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 Urbandale
Bachelor's degrees in Urbandale
| Period | Urbandale | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.9% | 33.6% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 47.9% | 35.5% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.8% | 37.1% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 51.1% | 40.3% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | +6.6 pts | +5.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
Urbandale is highly educated: about half of adults 25 and older (51.1%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 4.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the east.
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 Urbandale
| Period | Urbandale | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.6% | 91.9% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.2% | 92.8% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.6% | 92.7% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.8% | 92.9% | 93.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | +1.0 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Urbandale is above the national rate: 93.8% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The picture is much the same across the Des Moines area. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has fallen 2.8 points, even as the national rate rose.
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 Urbandale
| Period | Urbandale | Des Moines area | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.9% | 4.8% | 5.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.3% | 3.8% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.9% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Urbandale has been low: just 2.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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).
Urbandale compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urbandale | 2.58 | 40.3 | 7.8% | 24.1% | 6.5% | 1989 | $1,300 | 51.1% | 93.8% | 2.9% |
| Clive | 2.77 | 39.0 | 11.7% | 28.6% | 5.3% | 1995 | $1,489 | 57.6% | 95.1% | 4.0% |
| Windsor Heights | 2.37 | 43.4 | 10.0% | 24.1% | 10.6% | 1960 | $1,539 | 45.5% | 98.3% | 2.0% |
| Johnston | 2.80 | 38.5 | 11.3% | 29.0% | 5.6% | 2003 | $1,493 | 57.4% | 96.3% | 2.9% |
| Grimes | 2.71 | 35.5 | 8.2% | 27.3% | 2.7% | 2007 | $1,187 | 54.3% | 99.2% | 1.8% |
| West Des Moines | 2.30 | 37.8 | 8.1% | 42.2% | 6.7% | 1991 | $1,311 | 55.7% | 95.9% | 2.6% |
| Waukee | 2.52 | 35.5 | 10.4% | 31.0% | 4.7% | 2008 | $1,424 | 58.4% | 95.6% | 3.1% |
| Des Moines area | 2.52 | 37.6 | 11.2% | 30.5% | 7.0% | 1983 | $1,210 | 40.3% | 92.9% | 4.5% |
| Granger | 2.90 | 35.3 | 6.1% | 8.4% | 6.9% | 2001 | $859 | 44.9% | 97.9% | 0.3% |
| Polk City | 2.74 | 38.7 | 6.3% | 12.4% | 3.0% | 2003 | $935 | 46.4% | 97.9% | 2.5% |
| Booneville | 2.52 | 39.3 | 12.0% | 23.2% | 5.0% | 2011 | $1,235 | 62.1% | 96.5% | 2.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Lake Oswego, OR · Rosenberg, TX · Prattville, AL · North Lauderdale, FL · Newark, CA · Lititz, PA · Lancaster, SC · Lakeside, CA · Lake Ridge, VA · Seguin, TX
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 Urbandale. 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.
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