NAICS 51

Information in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Metro Market Score 51.6 (Challenging), ranked #198 of 294 metros. 791 establishments, 6,046 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 51.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national information average.

💰High-Cost Market📈Rapid Growth

Des Moines-West Des Moines pairs above-average information concentration (85.4) with positive employment growth (trend: 77.9). The market is competitive but still expanding, leaving room for well-positioned new entrants.

Industry Concentration
85.4
LQ: 0.80
Rank #251 of 294 metros
Wage Competitiveness
75.8
$99,346 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 77.9
Employment growth index
Rank #66 of 294 metros
Wage Pressure
23.4
YoY wage change index

791 Information Firms in Des Moines-West Des Moines

791
Establishments
+8.5% YoY
6,046
Total Employment
+1.0% YoY
$99,346
Average Annual Wage
+6.7% YoY
0.80
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Des Moines-West Des Moines vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's information market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #15/51 for entry risk.

Measure Des Moines-West Des Moines IA Statewide
Overall Score 51.6 Challenging 38.3 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #198 of 294 metros #15 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Des Moines-West Des Moines

Accommodation and Food Services 33.8 Retail Trade 34.7 Construction 52.9 Other Services 53.0 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 55.5 Finance and Insurance 60.0

Information in Other Iowa Metros

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 29.5 #56/294 Iowa City 30.0 #60/294 Ames 39.9 #114/294 Waterloo-Cedar Falls 48.5 #182/294 Sioux City 51.0 #196/294 Dubuque 58.5 #228/294 Cedar Rapids 70.9 #279/294

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Des Moines-West Des Moines's information sector, the industry concentration component (85.4) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.