2024 U.S. Census county population estimates

[deadeyededric]

We did Arizona for 5 years after retirement. Lived west of Surprize and could usually drive 2 hours southeast and never leave the metro and it continues to expand in every direction. Miss the weather and golf but moved back to Ames for the Cyclones and family. Property taxes were half in Arizona on a larger and more expensive house but other expenses were pretty much a wash. Nice to walk to Trice and Hilton.

I loved living in the Valley I just realized after about 10 months of being there I was going to be underpaid and may run out of work. Not trying to send this to the cave but if politics in AZ was different if probably still be there. I've got a lot of friends and family here in the KC area. My sister and I are close and she just lives in Maryville. My dad isnt in the best of health either and he lives in Savannah(St. Jo area). Ive been as happy living here with both work and my personal life as I have been anywhere. That's what it all boils down to. Whats a good fit for you!!! Life is too short. Go where you are gonna be happy.

 

[canker2323]

I don’t see the similarities between KC/Omaha/StL. Omaha and DSM are little cities, KC and StL are Medium-Large cities.

I’ve lived in metros of 6 million+ for the last 20+ years. Omaha and Dsm feel the same to me.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I’ve lived in metros of 6 million+ for the last 20+ years. Omaha and Dsm feel the same to me.

Agree. Omaha and DM are very similar to me, but not similar at all to KC/StL.

 

[dmclone]

We did Arizona for 5 years after retirement. Lived west of Surprize and could usually drive 2 hours southeast and never leave the metro and it continues to expand in every direction. Miss the weather and golf but moved back to Ames for the Cyclones and family. Property taxes were half in Arizona on a larger and more expensive house but other expenses were pretty much a wash. Nice to walk to Trice and Hilton.

Our plan is to move to Arizona when we retire. If it wasn't for family, would you still be there?

 

[Al_4_State]

They aren’t similar in terms of amenities.

I think they feel similar culturally. The attitudes and priorities of the people. The look of the neighborhoods. You know, the vibes.

 

[Amac12]

Our plan is to move to Arizona when we retire. If it wasn't for family, would you still be there?

Probably. I enjoyed it more than my wife but she really missed the grandkids and their activities. Lived in a 55+ community and there are pluses and minuses to that but made some great friends and the crazy thing is most were midwest retirees.

 

[deadeyededric]

Probably. I enjoyed it more than my wife but she really missed the grandkids and their activities. Lived in a 55+ community and there are pluses and minuses to that but made some great friends and the crazy thing is most were midwest retirees.

I agree that I would have enjoyed living there regardless of if I had family there or not. Living in a place where it's 70 degrees in January has a profound impact on your general happiness. Midwest winters are ******* brutal at times. Feels like you're on house arrest almost. The coldest I ever saw it there was 38 one morning and I think the high that day was 70.

 

[deadeyededric]

Agree. Omaha and DM are very similar to me, but not similar at all to KC/StL.

Omaha still has more culture and diversity than Des Moines.

 

[Gunnerclone]

Omaha still has more culture and diversity than Des Moines.

both round to zero imo lol.

 

[BryceC]

I would absolutely call Norwalk a suburb of Des Moines.

I'd call Peosta a suburb and would say places like Dyersville and Epworth are bedroom communities.

I live in the metro and have never heard norwalk called a suburb of DSM.

 

[chuckd4735]

I live in the metro and have never heard norwalk called a suburb of DSM.

It is 100% a suburb of Des Moines. They literally touch.

 

[ISUTex]

What's worse? Ethanol or for our health seed oils and high fructose corn syrup?

I think Iowa should less corn/soybeans and more tomatoes , taters, onions and peppers.

 

[ISUTex]

Besides the age of the cities, I think Dubuque's topography also contributes to making the downtown feel a lot different. The hills there create a very defined border for downtown Dubuque, so there's higher density in the downtown from historically building up rather than out.

Dubuque is great. Love visiting.

 

[ISUTex]

It is 100% a suburb of Des Moines. They literally touch.

Agree. Norwalk is a suburb. Des Moines proper also sneaks into Warren Co a little south of the Zoo. I think. Warren Co. should be counted towards the DSM metro area if it isn't already. Also have Indianola and Carlisle for bedroom towns.

 

[chuckd4735]

Agree. Norwalk is a suburb. Des Moines proper also sneaks into Warren Co a little south of the Zoo. I think. Warren Co. should be counted towards the DSM metro area if it isn't already. Also have Indianola and Carlisle for bedroom towns.

Yes Des Moines dips into Warren County in a few areas, namely along 65/69.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I live in the metro and have never heard norwalk called a suburb of DSM.

That’s crazy. It’s literally touching DSM proper and WDM. What would you call it if it’s not a suburb? What characteristics does it have that would tell someone “we’re not a suburb!”?

 

[chuckd4735]

That’s crazy. It’s literally touching DSM proper and WDM. What would you call it if it’s not a suburb? What characteristics does it have that would tell someone “we’re not a suburb!”?

I think you have to be predominantly residential, and where a majority of your citizens are commuting to the urban core for work. Zero question on Norwalk, and I could argue both Indianola and Newton fit the category.

 

[ISUTex]

Omaha still has more culture and diversity than Des Moines.

What do you mean by that exactly? I've lived in Dallas, Des Moines, and Chicago. Omaha and Des Moines are pretty similar diversity/culture wise. Neither are anywhere near Dallas or Chicago obviously. Neither are anywhere near Kansas City or Minneapolis for that matter. Omaha is a little larger than Des Moines. That's about it. Pretty much the same otherwise. All are nice places to live.

 

[Al_4_State]

I live in the metro and have never heard norwalk called a suburb of DSM.

 

[Buster28]

For reference, the official Des Moines metro area includes six counties: Polk, Dallas, Warren, Jasper, Madison, and Guthrie. The Des Moines CSA (combined statistical area) includes those six and two more: Story and Boone (which comprise the Ames metropolitan area).

Definition of a "metropolitan area": These are areas with at least one urban area of 50,000 or more inhabitants, plus adjacent territory with a high degree of social and economic integration.

Definition of a "combined statistical area": The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defines a CSA by various combinations of adjacent metropolitan and micropolitan areas with economic ties measured by commuting patterns. CSAs retain their own designations as metropolitan or micropolitan statistical areas in their respective larger combined statistical areas.