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2024 Compare Cities Economy:
Lawrence, KS vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- Household income in West Des Moines, is 35% more than it is in Lawrence and is 10% above the National Average.
- Lawrence unemployment rate is 3.7%.
- West Des Moines unemployment rate is 3.3%.

Economy
 Lawrence, KSWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate3.7%3.3%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth0.4%2.7%1.6%
 Future Job Growth29.5%35.2%33.5%
 Sales Taxes9.1%6.0%6.2%
 Income Taxes5.7%7.4%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$34,072$49,286$37,638
 Household Income$56,536$76,564$69,021
 Family Median Income$94,037$105,485$85,028
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 Est. Households By Income
 Lawrence, KSWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K12.8%4.7%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K4.6%3.0%3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K9.2%7.2%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K8.5%8.3%8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K8.8%7.5%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K8.2%6.7%7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K9.1%11.2%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K11.5%14.0%12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K12.9%17.6%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K8.0%8.8%7.8%
 Income greater than 200K6.5%10.8%9.5%
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 Population By Occupation
 Lawrence, KSWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Management, business, finance13.9%23.2%16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science8.3%12.2%6.5%
 Community, social services2.2%2.2%1.8%
 Legal1.4%1.6%1.2%
 Education, library11.3%6.4%6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment3.5%2.1%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology6.0%6.8%6.2%
 Healthcare support2.5%1.5%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.2%1.4%2.1%
 Food preparation, serving8.2%4.0%5.4%
 Building maintenance3.3%1.8%3.6%
 Personal care3.9%3.3%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support19.8%21.2%20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry0.4%0.0%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair4.5%4.3%8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving9.6%7.9%13.1%

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Reviews for Lawrence    19 Reviews

Over 9 years ago

I don't know why people have written negative reviews about Lawrence, but I have lived here for two years and love it. The quality of life is great - it is a college  More

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Over 11 years ago

Great college town, wonderful people and community. Fun  More

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Over 12 years ago

While I was a grad student at KU I lived in Lawrence, KS. I was unimpressed by the town and even less impressed by the over-inflated ego of its inhabitants. Let's be  More

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Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 15 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Over 15 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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ZIPS IN LAWRENCE, KANSAS
66049 66044 66047 66046 66045
ZIPS IN WEST DES MOINES, IOWA
50265 50266

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