Des Moines ("Dez Moynz") is a village in Union County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 117 in the 2020 census. The population has been declining since its peak in about 1920. Des Moines is a small village surrounded by large cattle ranches. Inactive volcanoes dot the region.

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

Town numbers

ZIP code88418

Area codeSign in to add

Living in Des Moines

Health in Des Moines

Compared with New Mexico

1better than NM·8worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 23 are too close to call.

Conditions 7▼ 5 close Habits all close Care 1▲ 6 close Mind 1▼ 4 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

79.7%More adults treating high blood pressureNM 73.3% · better 9.3%More adults with COPDNM 6.6% · worse

Care nearby

Miners' Colfax Medical CenterRaton · 34.4 mi · ER · rural critical access

Raton Primary CareRaton · 34.5 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Des Moines · CMS · HRSAHealth in Des Moines →

Natural hazards in Des Moines

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 75% of U.S. communities.

🌵 Drought🔥 Wildfire🌊 Inland flooding

0Does Des Moines flood?no paid flood claims on record NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 5 declared for Union County

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

Climate in Des Moines

Full climate →

Des Moines has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 41 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

45° / 18°Winter

62° / 33°Spring

82° / 53°Summer

64° / 36°Fall

How much snow does Des Moines get?About 41 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 1, with the last in spring around May 17.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 →

Schools in Des Moines

All Des Moines schools →

A⁺

School Grade A+

The public schools Des Moines’s kids attend outperform 99% of New Mexico’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictDES MOINESSchools2

Des Moines Elementary AElementary · Grades PK–6 · 82 students Des Moines High AHigh · Grades 7–12 · 50 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within NM. Ratings are from neighbors.