Des Moines Real Estate

Incorporated on September 22, 1851 as Fort Des Moines, the name was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857. Des Moines is the capital of the State of Iowa in the United States and the most populous city in the state with a city population nearing 200,000 and metro population of about 500,000.

Today Des Moines is a major financial and insurance industry center. Some large corporations like the Principal Financial Group, the Meredith Corporation, Ruan Transportation, EMC Insurance Companies, and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield have based their head offices here in Des Moines. Other big players such as Wells Fargo, ING Group, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Marsh, and Pioneer Hi-Bred have established their large scale operations in Des Moines making it the fourth "Best Place for Business" in 2007 according to the Forbes magazine.

The history of Des Moines dates back to May 1843 at the construction of a fort on the site where the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers merge. The earlier settlers occupied the abandoned fort and the nearby areas and on May 25, 1846 became the seat of Polk County.

Most of the town was washed away in the floods of May 1851 when the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers rose to record height, engulfing the entire country east of the Des Moines river. The floods however provided a new platform for the city to grow on. Within a short span the city was incorporated with its own character and renewed spirits. The city’s rapid development is attributed to the railroad link that was completed in 1866.

Des Moines today is looked up to as the hub of political action, business, arts and cultural activities. With some of the finest schools and colleges, excellent public services, diverse population and friendly neighborhood, Des Moines has earned the reputation of being the best place to live ,work and visit in the United States.