How long is the commute from Des Moines, WA?
Workers who live in Des Moines, WA take an average of 30.8 minutes to get to work (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
68.3% of workers drive alone to work.
4.6% take public transportation.
2.3% of workers walk to work.
14.7% work from home.
7.4% of households have no vehicle.
Figures last updated on .
- Average commute
- 30.8 minutes (±1.9)
- Public transportation
- 4.6%
- Work from home
- 14.7%
- Households without a car
- 7.4%
How people in Des Moines get to work
| Means of transportation | Des Moines | King County | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 68.3% (±3.9 points) | 50.4% | 63.4% | 68.8% |
| Carpooled | 9.5% (±2.7 points) | 7.0% | 8.5% | 8.5% |
| Public transportation | 4.6% (±1.5 points) | 6.8% | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Walked | 2.3% (±1.0 points) | 4.3% | 3.0% | 2.4% |
| Other means (bicycle, taxi, motorcycle) | 0.6% (±0.4 points) | 2.4% | 1.9% | 2.0% |
| Worked from home | 14.7% (±2.5 points) | 29.2% | 19.8% | 15.1% |
In Des Moines, the average commute is higher than in King County (27.6 minutes).
It is also higher than in Washington (26.6 minutes).
It is higher than the national figure (26.4 minutes).
In Des Moines, the share commuting by public transportation is lower than in King County (6.8%).
It is not measurably different from Washington (3.4%).
It is not measurably different from the national figure (3.2%).
In King County, Des Moines ranks 20 of 59 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest average commute.
Statewide, it ranks 138 of 470.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Cars per household in Des Moines
| Vehicles available | Des Moines | King County | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 7.4% (±2.1 points) | 11.2% | 7.1% | 8.4% |
| 1 vehicle | 31.1% (±3.7 points) | 37.0% | 30.5% | 33.1% |
| 2 vehicles | 36.3% (±3.7 points) | 33.8% | 36.3% | 36.6% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 25.3% (±3.1 points) | 17.9% | 26.1% | 21.9% |
In Des Moines, the share of households without a vehicle is lower than in King County (11.2%).
It is not measurably different from Washington (7.1%).
It is not measurably different from the national figure (8.4%).
Working from home and internet access in Des Moines
| Des Moines | King County | Washington | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers working from home | 14.7% (±2.5 points) | 29.2% (±0.3 points) | 19.8% (±0.2 points) | 15.1% |
| Households with a computer | 97.1% (±1.6 points) | 98.1% (±0.1 points) | 97.1% (±0.1 points) | 95.5% |
| Households with broadband internet | 93.4% (±2.1 points) | 95.1% (±0.2 points) | 93.6% (±0.1 points) | 91.0% |
In Des Moines, the share of households with a broadband subscription is not measurably different from King County (95.1%).
It is not measurably different from Washington (93.6%).
It is higher than the national figure (91.0%).
Average commute in places near Des Moines
| Place | Distance | Average commute | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | — | 30.8 minutes (±1.9) | — |
| Normandy Park | 3.3 mi | 24.5 minutes (±2.5) | Lower |
| SeaTac | 3.9 mi | 25.4 minutes (±1.5) | Lower |
| Lakeland North | 3.9 mi | 30.6 minutes (±2.2) | Not measurably different |
| Kent | 4.9 mi | 30.4 minutes (±0.9) | Not measurably different |
| Federal Way | 5.4 mi | 32.1 minutes (±0.9) | Not measurably different |
| Burien | 6.1 mi | 26.7 minutes (±1.1) | Lower |
| Tukwila | 6.4 mi | 24.6 minutes (±1.2) | Lower |
| Vashon | 6.6 mi | 33.5 minutes (±5.6) | Not measurably different |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Normandy Park, WA (24.5 minutes), SeaTac, WA (25.4 minutes), Burien, WA (26.7 minutes).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Average commute across King County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Average commute |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Bryn Mawr-Skyway | 32.6 minutes (±1.8) |
| 15 | Federal Way | 32.1 minutes (±0.9) |
| 16 | East Renton Highlands | 31.9 minutes (±2.8) |
| 17 | Pacific | 31.7 minutes (±4.0) |
| 18 | Carnation | 31.4 minutes (±5.1) |
| 19 | Duvall | 31.1 minutes (±2.3) |
| 20 | Des Moines | 30.8 minutes (±1.9) |
| 21 | Lakeland North | 30.6 minutes (±2.2) |
| 22 | Auburn | 30.5 minutes (±1.0) |
| 23 | Kent | 30.4 minutes (±0.9) |
| 24 | Fall City | 30.1 minutes (±3.7) |
| 25 | Renton | 29.7 minutes (±0.9) |
| 26 (tie) | Lakeland South | 29.6 minutes (±2.1) |
Showing 13 of 59 places in King County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Des Moines
How long is the average commute in Des Moines?
Workers who live in Des Moines, WA take an average of 30.8 minutes each way (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Can you live in Des Moines without a car?
7.4% of households in Des Moines have no vehicle, and 4.6% of workers commute by public transportation.
How many people work from home in Des Moines?
14.7% (±2.5 points) of workers who live in Des Moines worked from home, and 93.4% of households have a broadband subscription.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Des Moines city, Washington
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Des Moines city, Washington
- Selected Social Characteristics (DP02), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Des Moines city, Washington
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Des Moines city, Washington (place:17635, in state:53).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0018E, DP03_0018M, DP03_0025E, DP03_0025M, DP03_0019PE, DP03_0019PM, DP03_0020PE, DP03_0020PM, DP03_0021PE, DP03_0021PM, DP03_0022PE, DP03_0022PM, DP03_0023PE, DP03_0023PM, DP03_0024PE, DP03_0024PM, DP04_0058PE, DP04_0058PM, DP04_0059PE, DP04_0059PM, DP04_0060PE, DP04_0060PM, DP04_0061PE, DP04_0061PM, DP02_0153PE, DP02_0153PM, DP02_0154PE, DP02_0154PM
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
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