Des Moines County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population was 42,351. Its county seat is Burlington, Iowa. It is one of Iowa's two original counties along with Dubuque County; both were organized by the Michigan Territorial legislature in 1834. ⁶.

Des Moines County should not be confused with the city of Des Moines, Iowa, which is the capital of Iowa. Des Moines County sits on Iowa's eastern border alongside the Mississippi River. The city of Des Moines is in Polk County, Iowa in south-central Iowa.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,113 km² (430 mi²). 1,078 km² (416 mi²) of it is land and 35 km² (14 mi²) of it (3.18%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Louisa County (north)
• Mercer County, Illinois (east), across the Mississippi River
• Henderson County, Illinois (southeast), across the Mississippi River
• Lee County (south)
• Henry County (west)

Demographics

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As of the census² of 2000, there were 42,351 people, 17,270 households, and 11,536 families residing in the county. The population density was 39/km² (102/mi²). There were 18,643 housing units at an average density of 17/km² (45/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.69% White, 3.57% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 1.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 17,270 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.30 males.