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Des Moines

A township of 236 people in Jackson County, Minnesota

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Now in Des Moines

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Around town

The places and views that make it Des Moines

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The Des Moines album

0 of 12 shotsNeighbors document Des Moines together

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Outdoors in Des Moines

Parks & trails →

Conserved land0.2%43 of 19,847 acres

Trails1.6 mi0.1 mi per sq mi

Parks & preserves2named on the map

1Fort Belmont11 acres

2Summers Wildlife Management Area, Clear Lake Unit1 acres Directions

Know a trail or park that’s missing? Anyone can add it to OpenStreetMap, and it shows up here on the next refresh.

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

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Know Des Moines

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Des Moines

Township in Minnesota, United States

236Population

32.4 sq miArea

1,404 ftElevation

Des Moines Township is a township in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 273 at the 2000 census. Des Moines Township was organized in 1866, taking its name from the Des Moines River.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

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Living in Des Moines

Work & commute in Des Moines

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Most working residents leave Des Moines for work: only 3% work in town. The top destinations are Jackson (32%), Windom (10%) and Lakefield (9%). Half commute less than 14 miles.

Jackson

32%

Windom

10%

Lakefield

9%

Spirit Lake, IA

5%

3%Work in townlive and work in Des Moines 14 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 81Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Des Moines →

Health in Des Moines

Compared with Minnesota

3worse than MN

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 29 are too close to call.

Conditions 3▼ 9 close Habits all close Care all close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

13.2%More older adults who have lost all their teethMN 8.9% · worse 7%More adults with heart diseaseMN 5.9% · worse 9.8%More adults who have had cancerMN 8.5% · worse

Care nearby

Sanford Jackson Medical CenterJackson · 3 mi · ER · rural critical access

Access Health - WindomWindom · 17.1 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 56143, 56150 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Des Moines →

Natural hazards in Des Moines

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 53% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🧊 Hail

0Does Des Moines flood?no paid flood claims on record 3Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Des Moines MapDes Moines vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Des Moines →

Climate in Des Moines

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Des Moines has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 6°, and about 49 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

26° / 10°Winter

55° / 34°Spring

80° / 59°Summer

58° / 37°Fall

How much snow does Des Moines get?About 49 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 2, with the last in spring around May 2.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.0° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Des Moines →

Libraries near Des Moines

Nearest: Jackson County Central LibraryJackson · 3.8 miles · 43 hrs a week

Famous people from Des MoinesWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Des Moines.Meet them →

Where Des Moines is

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Imported town boundary

Minnesota · MN · Jackson CountyTown boundary on OpenStreetMap →

Around town

Bordering towns

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How things work in Des Moines

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Town hall & decisionsTrash, recycling & yard wasteUtilities & servicesStreets, parking & getting aroundSafety & preparednessSchools & learningParks, sports & recreationHealth & emergency care