Des Moines County is located in southeastern Iowa along the Mississippi River, forming part of the state’s eastern border with Illinois. Established in 1834 during the Iowa Territory period, it is one of Iowa’s older counties and developed early around river transportation and regional trade. The county is mid-sized by Iowa standards, with a population of about 40,000 residents. Burlington, situated on the Mississippi, serves as the county seat and is the county’s principal urban center. Outside Burlington, the county is largely rural, characterized by agricultural land, river bluffs, and bottomlands associated with the Mississippi River valley. The local economy includes manufacturing, healthcare, education, and agriculture, reflecting a mix of small-city services and surrounding farm-based activity. Cultural and civic life is centered in Burlington and smaller communities, with the river corridor shaping transportation, settlement patterns, and regional identity.

Des Moines County Local Demographic Profile

Des Moines County is in southeastern Iowa along the Mississippi River, with Burlington as the county seat and principal population center. The county forms part of Iowa’s Mississippi River corridor and borders Illinois across the river.

For local government and planning resources, visit the Des Moines County official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Des Moines County, Iowa, the county had a population of 38,910 (2020 Census).

Age & Gender

County-level age distribution and sex composition are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in QuickFacts. See “Age and Sex” in the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts table for Des Moines County for:

  • Age distribution (under 18; 18–64; 65+ and related breakdowns shown in the table)
  • Gender ratio / sex composition (female and male shares)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

County-level race and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in QuickFacts. See “Race and Hispanic Origin” in the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts table for Des Moines County for:

  • Race categories (e.g., White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, Two or More Races)
  • Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

Household & Housing Data

County-level household composition and housing characteristics are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in QuickFacts. See the “Housing” and “Families & Living Arrangements” sections of the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts table for Des Moines County for commonly used measures including:

  • Number of households
  • Average household size
  • Owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied housing
  • Housing unit counts and selected housing characteristics

Email Usage

Des Moines County in southeast Iowa includes Burlington and surrounding rural townships; this mix of moderate city density and dispersed housing can raise last‑mile network costs and make digital communication more dependent on fixed broadband availability.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are generally not published, so email access trends are inferred from proxy indicators such as broadband subscriptions, computer availability, and age structure. The U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) provides county estimates for broadband subscription and computer ownership, which are commonly used as indicators of the ability to maintain reliable email access at home. Age distribution from the same source is relevant because older populations tend to have lower rates of internet and email adoption than younger adults, influencing overall uptake where the share of seniors is higher.

Gender distribution is available in Census profiles, but it is typically a weaker predictor of email adoption than age, income, and education.

Connectivity constraints are reflected in fixed broadband coverage and service offerings reported by the FCC National Broadband Map, with rural areas more likely to face fewer provider choices, slower speeds, or higher prices than Burlington’s urban core.

Mobile Phone Usage

Des Moines County is in southeast Iowa along the Mississippi River, anchored by the City of Burlington (the county seat) and surrounded by smaller towns and agricultural land. This mix of a mid-sized city, river bluffs/floodplain areas, and rural road networks can affect mobile connectivity through tower siting constraints, variable backhaul availability, and coverage gaps outside population centers. Population size and density metrics for the county are published by the U.S. Census Bureau through its county profiles (for example, Census.gov QuickFacts (Des Moines County, Iowa)).

Key distinction: network availability vs. household adoption

Network availability describes where mobile broadband service is reported as available (coverage). The primary federal source is FCC coverage reporting, which is based on provider-submitted maps and is best used as an indicator of claimed availability rather than measured performance.
Household adoption describes whether residents actually subscribe to and use mobile service or mobile data, which is typically measured through surveys (for example, “cellular data plan” and “smartphone” adoption in the American Community Survey).

Mobile penetration and access indicators (adoption)

County-level adoption indicators are available through U.S. Census Bureau survey tables and profiles rather than carrier reporting.

  • Household internet subscription types (including cellular data plans): The American Community Survey (ACS) includes estimates for whether households have an internet subscription and the type of subscription, including cellular data plans. These figures represent adoption, not coverage. Data can be accessed through data.census.gov by searching Des Moines County, IA and the ACS “Computer and Internet Use” tables/profile.
  • Device access (smartphones vs. other computing devices): ACS also reports whether households have a smartphone, desktop/laptop, or tablet/other computing device. These are adoption indicators that can be analyzed at the county level (subject to sampling error). Access is available through data.census.gov.
  • Limitations: ACS device and subscription measures are survey-based and can have wide margins of error at the county level; they do not identify the mobile network generation used (4G/5G) and do not measure speeds.

Mobile internet usage patterns: 4G/5G availability (availability)

County-level network generation availability is typically described using carrier coverage layers and state/federal broadband mapping resources.

  • FCC Broadband Map (mobile coverage): The FCC publishes provider-reported mobile broadband availability layers (including 4G LTE and 5G, depending on provider filings and map view options). This is the main public source for availability at fine geographic resolution and can be reviewed via the FCC National Broadband Map.
    • Interpretation note: FCC mobile availability reflects provider-submitted propagation models. Reported availability does not guarantee indoor coverage, consistent performance, or capacity during peak use.
  • Iowa statewide broadband resources: Iowa’s broadband program and mapping resources provide statewide context, including planning information and broadband initiatives that can be relevant to rural portions of Des Moines County. See the Iowa Economic Development Authority broadband page for state program references and mapping links.
  • Local and regional planning context: County and city planning materials can provide context on land use, development patterns, and infrastructure priorities that correlate with where mobile providers concentrate upgrades. The county’s public-facing information is available at the Des Moines County, Iowa website.

Limitations: Public sources generally do not provide countywide statistics for the share of users on 4G vs. 5G. Network experience metrics (typical download/upload, latency, congestion) are more often available from third-party measurement firms and are not consistently published at the county level in a way that can be cited as an official statistic.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices) (adoption)

The most consistent county-level device indicators come from ACS “Computer and Internet Use” data:

  • Smartphones: ACS identifies households with a smartphone, which is the closest standard measure of smartphone access at the county level.
  • Other device categories: ACS also tracks desktops/laptops and tablets/other devices, enabling a high-level view of whether internet access is primarily mobile-device oriented or distributed across multiple device types.
  • Limitations: ACS measures household access to devices, not active usage intensity (screen time, app use) or device capabilities (5G handset ownership).

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage

Factors that commonly influence both mobile coverage outcomes and adoption patterns can be examined using county-level Census/ACS datasets and local geography:

  • Urban–rural distribution: Burlington and nearby developed areas typically have denser tower placement and stronger business incentives for network upgrades, while more rural parts of the county often face larger cell sizes and fewer tower locations.
  • River and bluff terrain: Mississippi River corridor topography (bluffs, low-lying areas) and vegetation can contribute to localized signal variability, particularly for higher-frequency 5G layers that have shorter propagation characteristics. Public mapping does not quantify these effects directly at the county level; they are inferred from general radio propagation principles and local topography.
  • Income and age distribution: Adoption of smartphones and cellular data plans tends to correlate with income, educational attainment, and age structure. County-level demographic distributions are available through Census.gov QuickFacts and detailed ACS tables via data.census.gov. These sources support describing adoption patterns in relation to socioeconomic composition, but they do not directly attribute causation.
  • Housing and broadband substitution: In areas where fixed broadband options are limited or costly, some households report cellular data plans as their primary internet subscription. ACS “type of internet subscription” provides the adoption signal for this substitution pattern; it does not indicate whether the plan is used as a full home-broadband replacement or as supplemental access.

What can be stated definitively with public data (and what cannot)

  • Definitively available at county level (public sources):
  • Not consistently available as definitive county-level statistics from official public sources:
    • The percentage of mobile users on 4G vs. 5G in Des Moines County.
    • Countywide measured performance distributions (speed/latency) for each mobile technology layer, presented as official statistics.

Suggested way to read the evidence together (availability vs. adoption)

  • Use the FCC broadband map to describe where 4G/5G is reported available (coverage footprint and provider presence).
  • Use ACS tables from data.census.gov to describe how many households report smartphones and cellular data plans (adoption), and to relate those adoption levels to county demographics from Census.gov QuickFacts.

Social Media Trends

Des Moines County is in southeastern Iowa along the Mississippi River, anchored by Burlington and shaped by a mix of manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and regional retail services. As a mid-sized county in a largely rural state, local social media use tends to reflect national patterns (high overall adoption, with platform choice varying sharply by age) while also supporting community information-sharing around schools, local events, and public services.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

  • Overall social media use (U.S. benchmark): About 7 in 10 U.S. adults (≈69%) report using at least one social media site. Source: Pew Research Center: Americans’ Social Media Use (2024).
  • County-specific note: Publicly available, county-level social media penetration estimates are not consistently published by major noncommercial survey programs; Des Moines County usage is therefore best contextualized using high-quality statewide and national survey benchmarks rather than precise county counts.

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

Based on U.S. adult usage patterns from Pew Research Center, the highest overall social media usage is concentrated among younger adults:

  • 18–29: Highest adoption (commonly above 80% across recent Pew waves for “any social media”).
  • 30–49: Also high (typically around ~75–80%).
  • 50–64: Moderate-to-high (commonly ~60–70%).
  • 65+: Lowest adoption, though still substantial (commonly ~40–50%).
    Source: Pew Research Center (2024).

Gender breakdown

  • Overall: U.S. adults show relatively small gender differences in “any social media use,” though platform choice differs by gender (e.g., Pinterest skews female; some platforms skew male).
  • Platform-level gender skews (illustrative, U.S. benchmark): Pew reporting indicates notable gender differences on certain platforms (e.g., Pinterest usage is substantially higher among women than men).
    Source: Pew Research Center (2024).

Most-used platforms (share of U.S. adults)

Pew’s 2024 measures provide the most widely cited, comparable platform usage baselines for adults:

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

  • Video-centric consumption is dominant: YouTube’s very high reach indicates broad, routine video consumption across age groups, with short-form video also driving engagement on TikTok and Instagram. Source: Pew Research Center (2024).
  • Age-driven platform segmentation: Younger adults over-index on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, while older adults are more concentrated on Facebook. This pattern typically shapes local information flows, with Facebook often acting as a community bulletin-style channel and younger groups favoring creator-led, entertainment-forward feeds. Source: Pew Research Center (2024).
  • Messaging ecosystems matter: WhatsApp and Facebook’s messaging features support group communication and local coordination; adoption is lower than Facebook/YouTube but significant at the national level. Source: Pew Research Center (2024).
  • Use intensity varies by platform: Pew’s platform-by-platform reporting includes measures such as how frequently users visit certain sites, showing that some platforms function as daily habit loops more than others (notably among younger cohorts). Source: Pew Research Center (2024).

Family & Associates Records

Des Moines County family and associate-related public records include vital records (birth, death, marriage) and court records affecting family relationships (divorce, guardianship, probate). In Iowa, birth and death certificates are state vital records; locally, certified copies are commonly issued through the county registrar at the county level. Marriage records are also maintained for local issuance. Adoption records are handled through the courts and state systems and are generally not open to public inspection.

Public-facing databases primarily cover court case indexes and recorded land documents rather than certified vital records. Des Moines County court case information and docket access are available through the Iowa Judicial Branch’s online portal: Iowa Courts Electronic Access (EDMS/ESA). Property and recorded document searches are typically available via the county recorder’s office; county contact and office listings are provided at Des Moines County, Iowa (official website).

In-person access is available at county offices in Burlington for records the county maintains (for example, recorder filings) and for requesting certified copies through the local registrar/recorder functions, with identity and fee requirements. Privacy restrictions commonly apply to birth and death certificates, adoption files, and certain family court records (including sealed cases and protected information); public access generally extends to nonconfidential indexes and filings, subject to redaction rules under Iowa court and records policies.

Marriage & Divorce Records

Types of records available

Marriage records

  • Marriage license/application: Created when parties apply to marry through the county registrar; includes the application and the issued license.
  • Marriage certificate/return: After the ceremony, the officiant completes the return and files it so the marriage is registered and a certificate can be issued.

Divorce records

  • Divorce case file (court record): The district court maintains the civil case record, which can include the petition, notices, agreements, orders, and supporting filings.
  • Divorce decree (final judgment): The court’s final order dissolving the marriage and setting terms such as property division, custody, visitation, and support where applicable.
  • Divorce “certificate”/vital record: Iowa Vital Records maintains a statewide record of divorces and dissolutions for eligible years.

Annulment records

  • Annulment case file and decree: Maintained by the district court as a civil action; the decree declares a marriage void or voidable under Iowa law (often recorded as an “annulment” or “declaration of invalidity” in court records). Vital-record indexing practices vary by year and how the court reports the event to the state.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Des Moines County marriage records

  • Filed/registered locally: Des Moines County’s registrar records marriages occurring under licenses issued by the county.
  • Local access: Copies are obtained through the county office that serves as the registrar for vital events (commonly the County Recorder in Iowa counties).
  • State access: The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Bureau of Vital Records maintains statewide vital records and issues certified copies under state rules.

Des Moines County divorce and annulment records

  • Filed in court: Divorce and annulment actions are filed in Iowa District Court for Des Moines County (part of Iowa’s unified court system). The clerk of court maintains the official case record.
  • Court access:
    • Public case information (docket-level) is generally available through Iowa Courts Online for many cases.
    • Copies of documents and certified decrees are obtained from the Clerk of Court for the county where the case was filed, subject to sealed/confidential restrictions and copy fees.
  • State vital record of divorce: Iowa HHS Vital Records issues certified copies of divorce records within statutory limits for years maintained by the state.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage license/certificate

  • Full legal names of spouses (including maiden name where applicable)
  • Date and place of marriage (county/city or venue)
  • Date the license was issued and license number
  • Officiant’s name and authority; date the return was filed
  • Basic identifying information reported on the application (commonly age/date of birth, residence, and parents’ names), as required by Iowa vital records reporting standards

Divorce decree and court file

  • Case caption (parties’ names), case number, filing date, and court
  • Date of dissolution and findings/orders of the court
  • Orders addressing property and debt division, name changes, and restoration of former name where granted
  • Orders regarding children (legal custody, physical care, visitation), child support, medical support, and spousal support where applicable
  • Incorporated agreements (stipulations/settlement agreements) and child support guidelines worksheets where filed

Annulment decree and court file

  • Parties’ names, case number, and court
  • Legal basis for annulment (as pleaded and adjudicated)
  • Orders addressing status of the marriage, name change/restoration where granted, and issues involving children and support as applicable under Iowa law

Privacy or legal restrictions

  • Vital records access controls: Iowa restricts access to certified copies of vital records (including marriage records and state-held divorce records) to eligible requesters under state law and administrative rules; identification and relationship/eligibility requirements commonly apply.
  • Court record confidentiality: Divorce and annulment case records are generally public, but specific filings or information may be confidential or sealed under Iowa court rules, including (commonly) Social Security numbers, certain financial account information, protected addresses, and some records involving minors, abuse, or confidential information protected by law.
  • Redaction requirements: Iowa courts apply redaction and protected-information rules to limit disclosure of sensitive identifiers in publicly accessible court records.
  • Certified vs. informational copies: Certified copies issued by the county/state (vital records) and by the clerk of court (decrees/orders) are used for legal purposes; uncertified or informational copies may be limited or not accepted for legal identification and benefit claims.

Education, Employment and Housing

Des Moines County is in southeastern Iowa along the Mississippi River, anchored by Burlington and smaller river, rural, and small‑town communities. The county’s population is in the mid‑30,000s (U.S. Census Bureau estimates) and reflects a mix of manufacturing/industrial employment, health and education services, and agricultural activity in surrounding townships, with most daily services concentrated in Burlington.

Education Indicators

Public school systems and schools (K–12)

Public K–12 education in Des Moines County is primarily provided by these districts:

  • Burlington Community School District
  • Danville Community School District
  • Mediapolis Community School District
  • West Burlington Independent School District
  • Holy Trinity Catholic Schools operates in the county but is not public (included here only for local context).

A definitive, current count and complete list of public school buildings and names varies by year due to grade‑center reconfigurations. The most reliable school‑name lists are maintained in district directories and in the Iowa Department of Education’s district/school information tools (school‑level rosters) and district pages. Source directory pages include the Iowa Department of Education and district websites.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

  • Student–teacher ratios (school/district level): Iowa publishes staffing and enrollment in state reporting, but a single countywide ratio is not typically reported as a standard measure. District‑level ratios are available through state and federal profiles such as the NCES school and district search (Common Core of Data), which provides student counts and teacher FTEs for public schools.
  • Graduation rates: Iowa reports 4‑year cohort graduation rates by district and high school. Countywide graduation rate aggregates are not always published as a single statistic; district/high‑school rates are the standard reporting unit. District and school graduation rates can be referenced via Iowa’s accountability and performance reporting pages on the Iowa Department of Education site.

Proxy note: For county‑level summaries, district‑level graduation rates for Burlington, Mediapolis, Danville, and West Burlington are typically used as the best available proxy for “Des Moines County” outcomes.

Adult educational attainment

Adult education levels are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) for residents age 25+:

  • High school diploma or higher: county ACS tables provide the share with at least a high school credential.
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: county ACS tables provide the share with at least a bachelor’s degree.

The most recent ACS 5‑year estimates for Des Moines County can be accessed through data.census.gov (tables commonly used: educational attainment for age 25+). These values are the standard, most comparable measures for counties.

Notable academic and career programs

Program availability is district‑specific; common offerings in Iowa districts that also appear in southeastern Iowa schools include:

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE)/vocational training (industrial technology, health sciences, business/IT, agriculture, skilled trades pathways), commonly aligned to Iowa CTE standards and regional employer needs.
  • Dual enrollment/community college credit (often through regional community college partnerships; specific course lists vary by district and year).
  • Advanced Placement (AP) and honors coursework in larger high schools; offerings vary by staffing and student demand.
  • STEM programming and project‑based learning initiatives, typically supported through statewide STEM networks and district initiatives.

Because program rosters change year to year, district course catalogs and counseling offices are the authoritative sources; statewide context on CTE and STEM is maintained by the Iowa Department of Education.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Across Iowa public schools, safety and student support commonly include:

  • Secure entry procedures (single‑point entry during school hours, visitor check‑in, ID badges in some buildings).
  • Emergency operations planning with required drills (fire, severe weather, lockdown/active threat protocols) aligned with state guidance.
  • School resource officers (SROs) or local law‑enforcement partnerships in some secondary schools (varies by district).
  • Student services such as school counselors, school psychologists, and social work supports, with referral pathways to county behavioral health providers.

District board policies and school handbooks provide building‑level specifics; statewide policy context and reporting are available via the Iowa Department of Education.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent)

The standard “most recent” unemployment measures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS) and are released monthly and annually:

A single fixed rate is not provided here because the value changes month to month and the request specifies “most recent year available.” The annual average for the latest completed year is the best comparable metric and is published in LAUS county tables.

Major industries and employment sectors

Des Moines County’s employment base reflects a typical Mississippi River regional hub structure:

  • Manufacturing (durable and non‑durable goods, including metal, plastics, and other industrial production typical of the region)
  • Health care and social assistance (hospital/clinic, long‑term care, and outpatient services)
  • Retail trade and accommodation/food services (Burlington as the primary retail and service center)
  • Educational services and public administration (school districts, county/city government)
  • Transportation and warehousing (river/rail/highway‑adjacent logistics and distribution activity)
  • Construction and agriculture (more prominent outside the Burlington core)

County industry distributions and labor force characteristics are available via the ACS commuting and industry tables and regional workforce products from Iowa agencies.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational patterns typically align with the county’s sector mix:

  • Production occupations (manufacturing)
  • Office and administrative support
  • Sales and related
  • Healthcare practitioners and healthcare support
  • Transportation and material moving
  • Education, training, and library
  • Construction and extraction (notably outside the urban core)

The most comparable occupation shares are published through ACS (occupation by industry/worker characteristics) on data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean travel time

  • Primary commuting mode: personal vehicle (drive alone) typically dominates in Iowa counties; carpooling, remote work, and walking/biking represent smaller shares, with limited fixed‑route transit compared with larger metros.
  • Mean commute time: ACS reports mean travel time to work at the county level, available on data.census.gov (commuting characteristics tables).

Local employment vs. out‑of‑county work

ACS commuting flow concepts are used to characterize this:

  • Work location vs. residence: a portion of residents work within Des Moines County (especially in Burlington), while a measurable share commutes to other counties for manufacturing, health care, and regional service employment.
  • County‑level “worked in county of residence” indicators and workplace geography are available via ACS commuting tables on data.census.gov.

Proxy note: In the absence of a single “local vs. out‑of‑county” headline statistic reported by a county office, ACS “county of work” measures are the most standardized proxy.

Housing and Real Estate

Tenure: homeownership and renting

  • Homeownership rate and rental share: ACS provides the county’s occupied housing split between owner‑occupied and renter‑occupied units. The most recent 5‑year ACS estimates for Des Moines County are available on data.census.gov (housing tenure tables).

Property values and trends

  • Median home value (owner‑occupied): ACS provides a median value estimate for owner‑occupied housing units.
  • Recent trends: County‑level market trend lines are typically described using multi‑year ACS medians (inflation‑adjusted comparisons) and local sales market reports. County assessor data provides parcel‑level assessed values but not always a single “median sale price” series.

For comparable county medians, ACS on data.census.gov is the most consistent source.

Typical rent prices

  • Median gross rent: ACS provides median gross rent for renter‑occupied units (including utilities where applicable) via data.census.gov.
  • Market rent can vary substantially by unit type and location (older Burlington stock vs. newer multifamily), so ACS median is the standard countywide summary.

Housing stock and unit types

Des Moines County’s housing stock is typically characterized by:

  • Single‑family detached homes prevalent in Burlington neighborhoods and smaller towns
  • Older housing stock in core city areas (including historic homes and smaller lot sizes)
  • Apartments and small multifamily buildings concentrated near Burlington’s commercial corridors and older neighborhoods
  • Rural lots, farmhouses, and acreages in townships outside Burlington/West Burlington, often with larger parcels and outbuildings

ACS housing structure type tables provide county shares by unit type (1‑unit detached, 2–4 units, 5+ units, mobile homes) on data.census.gov.

Neighborhood characteristics and proximity to amenities

General spatial patterns in the county include:

  • Burlington/West Burlington: closer proximity to schools, medical services, retail, and employment centers; more rental options and smaller multifamily stock.
  • Mediapolis and Danville areas: smaller‑town residential patterns with more owner‑occupied single‑family housing and shorter in‑town school access, with commuting to Burlington and other regional job centers.
  • Rural areas: larger lots, fewer nearby services, greater reliance on driving, and longer access times to schools and healthcare.

Property taxes: rates and typical cost

Iowa property taxes are levied by local jurisdictions (county, city, school district) on assessed values with state‑set rollbacks and classifications. County‑specific effective tax rates and typical bills are best summarized using:

  • Iowa Department of Revenue property tax summaries and local levy information, and
  • Des Moines County Assessor and County Treasurer information for assessment and billing context.

Statewide property tax structure and local levy mechanics are described by the Iowa Department of Revenue. A single county “average rate” is not universally reported as one number because effective tax rates vary materially by school district, city limits, and property class; assessed value also differs widely across neighborhoods and rural parcels.

Table of Contents

Other Counties in Iowa