West Des Moines is a city in central Iowa of 53,889 residents, according a U.S. Census Bureau estimate done in 2008. As its name implies, it borders the state capital of Des Moines to the west. West Des Moines is part of the Des Moines metropolitan area, which has a population estimated in 2009 of 562,906 and encompasses five counties. Up until the aftermath of World War II there wasn't much to distinguish West Des Moines from many other small towns struggling to survive. It was originally a shipping and trading junction and was incorporated in 1893 under the name Valley Junction, home to railroad repair shops and switching facilities. Over the decades, Valley Junction grew slowly, but suffered major labor problems in the 1920s during a 22-month strike at the railroad shops. When Mexican and African-American laborers were brought in and workers were faced with breaking the strike or seeing their families starve, the community was torn apart. A few years later, the Great Depression hit. In a desperate bid to boost the business climate and attract new industries, the name Valley Junction was changed to West Des Moines on January 1, 1938.
It was hoped that this would erase the image of a backwards and old-fashioned town. Furthermore, to accentuate the change, all property taxes between 1936 and 1938 were suspended.In the 1950s, West Des Moines grew both in population and area as it began building new subdivisions and annexing surrounding areas. By 1960, the population had increased from 5,615 to 11,964 in just ten years. This was followed in the 1960s by the construction of Interstate 35, Interstate 80, and Interstate 235, which attracted more businesses and people to the area. By 1990, the population had grown to 31,702. By 2010, it covered 27.6 square miles in three counties, had more than 53,000 residents and was considered one of Iowa's wealthiest cities. In 2008, the estimated median household income in West Des Moines was $60,179 compared to the statewide median of $48,044. Also in 2008, it made the list of the 100 Best Places to Live and Launch. For additional information, look at the West Des Moines, IA yellow pages or the West Des Moines, IA business directory.
Written by Lyndsey Morgan
