2025 Compare Cities Economy:
West Des Moines, IA vs Alton, IL

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Highlights
- Household income in Alton, is 41% less than it is in West Des Moines and is 53% below the National Average.
- West Des Moines unemployment rate is 3.3%.
- Alton unemployment rate is 8.2%.
 West Des Moines, IAAlton, ILUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock8.2%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock2.0%1.6%
 Future Job Growth35.2%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes6.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock5.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$49,286  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$45,225$69,021
 Family Median Income$105,485  Unlock$85,028
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 Est. Households By Income
 West Des Moines, IAAlton, ILUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock15.0%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K3.0%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock14.2%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K8.3%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock9.5%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K6.7%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock11.5%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K14.0%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock11.1%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K8.8%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock1.6%9.5%
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 Population By Occupation
 West Des Moines, IAAlton, ILUnited States
 Management, business, finance23.2%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock4.7%6.5%
 Community, social services2.2%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock1.6%1.2%
 Education, library6.4%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock1.6%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology6.8%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock7.0%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.4%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock11.7%5.4%
 Building maintenance1.8%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock2.8%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support21.2%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.0%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair4.3%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock17.1%13.1%
Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 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 16 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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Reviews for Alton    7 Reviews

My wife, daughter, and I moved here from Phoenix Metro March 2022 and have been very happy with our move. The people have been great, having four seasons is great, and  More

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Over 2 years ago

Not sure why such low reviews. I moved here from St. Louis. Crime in Alton is NOTHING compared to that. Maybe 1 or 2 homicides a year and those are generally people  More

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Over 10 years ago

Unfortunately, Alton has become a run down, poverty stricken area. Jobs are very limited and do not pay well. Unless you plan on commuting to St. Louis for work, you  More

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