Des Moines, Washington
Des Moines is a city of 32,823 people in King County, Washington, founded in June 17, 1959.
Why visit Des Moines
Townapedia lists 10 museums and landmarks, 45 parks and trails, 111 places to eat and 17 places to stay in and around town.
Highlights include Erick Gustave Sanders Mansion, Point Robinson Light, Saltwater State Park and Cottonwood Grove Park.
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 78°F; December lows average 37°F.
Weather in Des Moines
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Des Moines
Des Moines (Lushootseed: baqʷab) is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 32,888 as of the 2020 census. The city is located on the east shore of Puget Sound, near the center of the Seattle metropolitan area. It is bordered by the suburbs of Federal Way to the south, Kent to the east, SeaTac to the northeast, Burien to the north, and Normandy Park to the northwest.
From the Wikipedia article Des Moines, Washington (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Museums and landmarks10
Erick Gustave Sanders Mansion
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.4 mi
Private residence located in the Green River Valley outside of Kent, Washington
Point Robinson Light
Lighthouse · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
Lighthouse in Washington, United States
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Tracy House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
Historic house in Washington, United States
Parks, trails and playgrounds45
Cottonwood Grove Park
Park · 2.2 mi
Park in Washington, United States of America
Riverbend 18-Hole Golf Course
Golf course · 2.4 mi
2019 West Meeker Street, Kent
dawn-dusk
33 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes111
A Pizza Mart
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.6 mi
24618 Military Road South, Kent
Th-Su 11:00-12:00; Mo-We 14:00-12:00
Anthony's HomePort Des Moines
Restaurant · Seafood · 0.8 mi
421 South 227th Street, Des Moines
Mo-Th 16:30-21:30; Fr-Sa 16:30-22:30; Su 10:00-21:00
California Burrito Taco Shop
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.2 mi
22660 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines
24/7
Kanishka Cuisine of India
Restaurant · Indian · 1.3 mi
22406 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines
12:00-00:00
Lang Viet WA
Restaurant · Vietnamese · 1.4 mi
25250 Pacific Highway South, Kent
Su-Mo,We-Sa 10:30-21:00
Mandarin Kitchen
Restaurant · Chinese · 0.8 mi
22612 7th Avenue South, Des Moines
Mo 15:00-20:30; Tu-Th 15:00-21:00; Fr-Su 11:30-21:00
Pizza Hut
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.1 mi
23321 Pacific Highway South, Kent
Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00
Royal Indian Grill
Restaurant · Indian · 0.9 mi
22341 Marine View Drive South
Sa-Su 12:00-21:00; Tu-Fr 11:00-21:00
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.7 mi
21401 Pacific Highway, Des Moines
Mo-Fr 05:00-20:00; Sa,Su 06:00-20:00
Tandoori Slice
Restaurant · Pizza, Indian · 1.5 mi
21850 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines
We-Su 12:00-21:00
Via Marina Ristorante
Restaurant · Italian, Pizza · 0.7 mi
22636 Marine View Drive South, Des Moines
Su 12:00-21:00; Mo-Th 15:30-21:00; Fr 15:30-22:00; Sa 12:00-22:00
Anthony's Oyster Bar & Grill - Des Moines
Restaurant · Seafood · 0.8 mi
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr 11:00-23:00; Sa 11:30-23:00; Su 12:30-22:00
99 more on the map.
Where to stay17
Skyway Inn Hotel
Motel and hotel · 2.4 mi
20045 International Boulevard, Seatac
Crossland Economy Studios - Seattle/Kent/Des Moines
Motel and hotel · 1.3 mi
25104 Pacific Highway South, Kent
Four Points by Sheraton Seattle Airport South
Motel and hotel · 1.3 mi
22406 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines
Motel Travel Inn
Motel and hotel · 1.6 mi
26225 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines
5 more on the map.
History
What was to become Des Moines was first explored by Europeans on May 26, 1792, during the exploration of British naval Captain George Vancouver on his flagship HMS Discovery. The first Americans to visit the area were part of Charles Wilkes' Expedition.
The first known settler was John Moore, who probably arrived circa 1867. His homestead claim certificate (#285) was granted on July 2, 1872.
In 1887, F.A. Blasher persuaded some friends in his home city of Des Moines, Iowa, to help finance the development of a town on Puget Sound. The work was done by the Des Moines Improvement Company. In 1889 the area was platted into lots and sold by the Des Moines Improvement Company, which had been incorporated by F. A. Blasher, Orin Watts Barlow, Charles M. Johnson, and John W. Kleeb. Lumber mills provided the community with its primary employment.
Early transportation to Des Moines was by water. The mosquito fleet provided access to Seattle, Tacoma, and Vashon. The first road, the Brick Highway, was completed in May 1916. The first cross-Puget Sound automobile ferry started service from Des Moines to Portage on November 13, 1916. This ferry service continued until September 1921. Before World War II farming fueled the local economy.
From the History section of Des Moines, Washington on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Churches and places of worship22
Hope Presbyterian Church - Crosspoint Ministry
Church · Presbyterian · 1.7 mi
26421 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines
All Saints Lutheran Church
Church · Lutheran · 2.4 mi
27225 Military Road South, Auburn
Grace Lutheran Church
Church · Lutheran · 0.9 mi
22975 24th Avenue South, Des Moines
Highline Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Church · Seventh Day Adventist · 1.4 mi
21650 24th Avenue South, Des Moines
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Church · Jehovahs Witness · 1.4 mi
21645 24th Avenue South, Des Moines
Shopping15
Eight - Seattle Diving Co.
Shop · 0.9 mi
22311 Marine View Drive South, Des Moines
Gas and EV charging16
Schools, colleges and libraries63
Healthcare8
UW Neighborhood Kent/Des Moines Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.1 mi
23213 Pacific Highway South, Kent
West Hill Medical Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.6 mi
24703 38th Avenue South, Kent
Highline Physical Therapy
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.2 mi
22659 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines
Yardley Institude of Upper Cervical Health Science
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.7 mi
26238 Pacific Highway South, Kent
Map of Des Moines
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48°F | 38°F | 5.8 in | 1.8 in |
| Feb | 50°F | 38°F | 3.8 in | 2.2 in |
| Mar | 54°F | 40°F | 4.2 in | 0.4 in |
| Apr | 59°F | 43°F | 3.2 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 66°F | 49°F | 1.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 71°F | 53°F | 1.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 77°F | 57°F | 0.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 78°F | 57°F | 1.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 72°F | 54°F | 1.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 60°F | 47°F | 3.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 52°F | 41°F | 6.3 in | 0.2 in |
| Dec | 47°F | 37°F | 5.7 in | 1.7 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Seattle Tacoma Intl Ap 72793 (4 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
King County has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2026-04-07: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2025-12-12: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2024-04-28: Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Severe Storm)
- 2022-09-10: Bolt Creek Fire (Fire)
- 2020-04-23: Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2020-03-22: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 4 miles away.
- Kent 5 mi east, about 8 min by car
- Burien 6 mi north, about 10 min by car
- Auburn 8 mi southeast, about 12 min by car
- Renton 8 mi northeast, about 14 min by car
- Bryn Mawr-Skyway 8 mi northeast, about 13 min by car
- Tacoma 12 mi southwest, about 19 min by car
- Bonney Lake 15 mi southeast, about 24 min by car
- Seattle 16 mi north, about 26 min by car
- Bellevue 16 mi northeast, about 26 min by car
- Artondale 17 mi west, about 27 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Des Moines, Washington with Puget Sounds and Maury and Vashon Island (1292124062), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Whaler's Village Des Moines, Washington August 2009 - panoramio, Kevin.Daniels, CC BY 3.0
- The Adriana Senior Apartments (Des Moines, WA), hallway interior, Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Des Moines, United States Sep 03, 2020 05-41-32 PM, Senapa, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Des Moines, United States Sep 03, 2020 05-47-43 PM, Senapa, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Salmon bake in Des Moines, WA, 1957 (28995084056), Seattle Municipal Archives from Seattle, WA, CC BY 2.0
- Point Robinson 01-smaller, bengrey, CC BY-SA 2.0
- William B. Tracy House, October 2011, User:Jaydec, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Erick Gustave Sanders Mansion (Kent, Washington), Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Highline Community College (16261158005), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Midway Lowe's (16075296947), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Saltwater State Park Trail 3, Tdferro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- McSorley Creek - Saltwater State Park 2, Tdferro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Saltwater State Park Trail 2, Tdferro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Highline CC erratic, Brianhe, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Highline Community College erratic 3, Brianhe, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Highline Community College erratic 2, Brianhe, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Redondo Fred Meyer (16259328901), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Highline North Parking Lot (3574932383), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Highline Community College Building 22 (5140668028), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Highline College Student Union Building and quad, Brianhe, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Highline Community College (3575741170), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Highline Community College (5140063467), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Views from Highline Community College (5140064301), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Landmark on the Sound Event Center (10133062813), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Wesley Garden (10375214235), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- RapidRide at Highline Community College (5042980006), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Both Interior Destination Signs (5016809448), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Radio 1 of 2 (5016807734), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- ORCA reader (5016195269), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Seattle Center East? (5016204819), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Init Stickers (5016806904), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- RapidRide leading the 174 (5016798862), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Inside the equipment cabinet (5016199787), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Wheelchair & Occupant Securement Instructions (5016197863), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Saltwater State Park Bridge, Tdferro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Saltwater State Park Beach 13, Tdferro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Saltwater State Park Walking path 2, Tdferro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Saltwater State Park Walking path, Tdferro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Highline Community College erratic with graffiti, Brianhe, CC BY-SA 4.0
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