Des Moines, IA: Marketing for Dental & Medical Practices
Public data on Des Moines, and what we would do first for a practice there because of it.
Des Moines at a glance
Furthest from the US: share of residents 65 and older (12.7% against 17.2%), then median household income ($65,932 against $80,734).
- Residents, July 2025 estimate212,086Down 0.9% from the April 2020 base of 214,032
- Median household income$65,932Below both Iowa ($75,059) and the US ($80,734)
- Median age34.6Below both Iowa (38.6) and the US (38.9)
- Residents 65 and older12.7%Well below both Iowa (18.1%) and the US (17.2%)
- Bachelor's degree or higher (residents 25+)29.7%Below both Iowa (31.4%) and the US (35.7%)
- Speak Spanish at home (residents 5+)11.5%Well above Iowa (4.7%), below the US (13.6%)
The share who speak Spanish at home is where Des Moines and West Des Moines (9 miles apart) differ most: 11.5% against 4.2%, then the share with a bachelor's degree or higher (29.7% against 54.9%).
Local healthcare landscape in Des Moines
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center lists its address as 1111 6th Ave. in Des Moines. UnityPoint Health lists Iowa Methodist Medical Center at 1200 Pleasant Street, says the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma has verified it as a Level I Adult Trauma Center, and its Iowa Methodist page also names Blank Children's Hospital. The City of Des Moines' Find Des Moines Neighborhoods site lists all neighborhood associations, with boundaries, contact details and meeting information for each. The city's list includes Beaverdale, Drake, Sherman Hill, Merle Hay, Waveland Park, Union Park and Grays Lake, each marked Chartered or Designated.
Neighborhoods and areas
- Beaverdale
- Drake
- Sherman Hill
- Merle Hay
- Waveland Park
- Union Park
- Grays Lake
Sources for this section
Who practices in Des Moines
NPI-registered providers with a practice address in Des Moines, by primary specialty (people, not offices). Per resident, Des Moines is furthest above the US among podiatrists (2.8 times the US rate) and lowest among dermatologists (0.3 times).
| Specialty | In Des Moines | Residents per provider | US | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists | 151 | 1 per 1,405 | 1 per 1,340 | Below |
| Chiropractors | 56 | 1 per 3,787 | 1 per 3,311 | Below |
| Dermatologists | 4 | 1 per 53,022 | 1 per 17,857 | Well below |
| Physical therapists | 202 | 1 per 1,050 | 1 per 1,181 | Above |
| Optometrists | 31 | 1 per 6,841 | 1 per 5,291 | Well below |
| Podiatrists | 41 | 1 per 5,173 | 1 per 14,706 | Well above |
| Plastic surgeons | 3 | 1 per 70,695 | 1 per 58,824 | Below |
Private-sector health care employers in Polk County, 2024
2024 annual averages for the whole county. Offices of other health practitioners are 39.3% of them, well above the US share of 27.8%.
- Ambulatory health care establishments1,182Average employment 14,091
- Offices of physicians291
- Offices of dentists194
- Offices of other health practitioners464
What we'd prioritize for a Des Moines practice
Chosen by fixed rules from the figures above.
A crowded field for podiatrists
2.8 times the US number of NPI-registered podiatrists per resident (one per 5,173 residents). A podiatrist here needs a clear focus and real reviews: see our marketing for podiatrists.
Room to stand out for dermatologists
Des Moines has 0.3 times the US number of NPI-registered dermatologists per resident (one for every 53,022 residents). Fewer local competitors in search for a dermatologist. See our marketing for dermatologists.
Put insurance and payment options up front
Median household income $65,932 (US $80,734). Plans accepted and financing belong on every page of the website.
Show the practice on social media
Median age 34.6 (US 38.9). Regular posts showing the team and office are part of our social media plan.
Talk to Us About Your Des Moines Practice
- No Long-Term Contracts
- HIPAA-Compliant
- 4–6 Week Delivery
Sources
- Census Bureau population estimates, July 1, 2025 estimates; April 1, 2020 estimates base
- Census Gazetteer files, 2025
- American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024 5-year
- CMS NPI Registry, live registry as of 2026-11-01
- Census ZIP code relationship files, 2020
- 2020 Census block populations, April 1, 2020
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (private sector), 2024 annual averages
Provider counts use each NPI record’s practice ZIP code, split between places by where the ZIP’s 2020 census residents live.
Medi-Edge Marketing is a medical marketing agency in Vista, California, working remotely with practices across the United States. See every location page or our services.