West Des Moines, Iowa is a vibrant city located in the heart of the Des Moines metropolitan area. The city is situated on the banks of the Raccoon River and is bordered by Clive to the north, Urbandale to the east, Des Moines and Windsor Heights to the south, and West Des Moines and Norwalk to the west.
West Des Moines covers an area of approximately 33 square miles and has a population of over 65,000 people. The terrain of West Des Moines is relatively flat with some rolling hills in certain areas. There are several parks scattered throughout the city including Walnut Woods State Park, Raccoon River Park, Jordan Creek Town Center Park, and Valley Junction Park.
The climate in West Des Moines is classified as humid continental with hot summers and cold winters. Average temperatures range from 19 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Rainfall totals are usually highest during June-August while snowfall totals reach their peak during December-February.
West Des Moines has a diverse economy based on finance, insurance, retail trade, health care services, manufacturing industries such as food processing and printing companies as well as business services such as software development companies.
Overall, West Des Moines is a great place to live thanks to its convenient location near downtown Des Moines as well as its thriving economy and beautiful natural landscapes.
History of West Des Moines, Iowa
According to Country CAT, West Des Moines, Iowa has a rich history that dates back to the mid-1800s. In 1845, two brothers, John and Jesse Williams, from Ohio settled in what is now known as West Des Moines. They were soon followed by other settlers from the East Coast and Germany who established farms in the area.
In 1854, West Des Moines was officially incorporated as a city and began to grow rapidly with the arrival of more settlers and businesses. By the late 1800s, West Des Moines had become a bustling town with a population of over 1,000 people.
In 1912, the city experienced its first major growth spurt when the Chicago Great Western Railroad opened up a line through West Des Moines. This allowed businesses to ship goods more easily and helped increase the city’s population even further.
During World War II, many people moved to West Des Moines to work at local factories that were manufacturing war supplies for the military. After the war ended in 1945, West Des Moines continued to grow steadily thanks to its strong economy and favorable location near downtown Des Moines.
By 1980, West Des Moines had become one of Iowa’s largest cities with over 50,000 residents. Today, it is home to over 65,000 people and continues to be one of Iowa’s most vibrant cities.
Economy of West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa is a thriving city with a diverse economy that is based on finance, insurance, retail trade, health care services, manufacturing industries such as food processing and printing companies as well as business services such as software development companies.
The city’s economic growth has been driven by its favorable location near downtown Des Moines and its access to major highways. This allows businesses to easily transport goods throughout the region and helps attract new businesses to the area.
Finance and insurance are two of the largest industries in West Des Moines. The city is home to several large banks, investment firms, and insurance companies which employ thousands of people. These companies provide a wide range of financial products and services including credit cards, loans, mortgages, investments, and insurance policies.
Retail trade is another important part of the local economy. West Des Moines is home to numerous shopping malls and retail stores that offer customers a wide range of goods from clothing to electronics. There are also many restaurants in the area which serve up delicious meals for hungry customers.
Manufacturing industries have also played an important role in West Des Moines’ economy over the years. The city is home to several large factories that produce various goods such as food products, printing materials, and medical equipment. These factories employ thousands of people who help keep the local economy strong.
Finally, business services are another major part of West Des Moines’ economy. There are numerous software development companies in the area which provide businesses with custom-made software solutions for their needs. In addition to this there are also many other types of business service providers such as accounting firms and marketing agencies which help keep the local economy strong.
Politics in West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa is a politically active city that is home to a wide variety of political beliefs and affiliations. The city’s politics are largely driven by its population which consists of both Republicans and Democrats. In the 2016 presidential election, West Des Moines voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton with a margin of more than 30 percent.
The city is represented in the Iowa House of Representatives by four members from both parties: two Republicans and two Democrats. The city also has one member in the Iowa Senate who is a Democrat. At the federal level, West Des Moines is represented by two members of Congress who are both Democrats.
At the local level, West Des Moines holds regular elections for mayor and city council members every four years. The current mayor is Steve Gaer, who was elected in 2017 and is a Republican. The City Council consists of seven members who are elected at-large on a nonpartisan basis every four years.
West Des Moines has also been involved in several high-profile issues at the state level recently including education reform and same-sex marriage legislation. In 2017, West Des Moines voted overwhelmingly to approve an education reform package that would increase funding for public schools while also introducing new accountability measures for teachers and administrators. Additionally, in 2015 West Des Moines was one of several cities that participated in the lawsuit challenging Iowa’s ban on same-sex marriage which ultimately led to its repeal statewide later that year.
Overall, West Des Moines is an example of how politics can be successfully conducted when different opinions are respected and compromise can be achieved between parties on important issues facing our society today.