Des Moines · Iowa
A metro area of 753,913 residents, the 82nd-largest in the US. Here is what franchise brands should know about the market, how to draw territories and how to market each unit.
753,913
Metro residents (Census Bureau, 2024 estimate)
82nd
Largest metro area in the United States
6 counties
In the Des Moines–West Des Moines metro area
No state filing
Iowa does not register franchises
Quick answer
The metro has 753,913 residents across 6 counties, the 82nd-largest metro area in the United States. Plan territories on households and travel time, give every unit its own page and Google Business Profile, and deliver your FDD at least 14 calendar days before anyone signs or pays.
Reviewed by the Fransion franchise research team · October 2026 · Sources listed below
The market
Insurance and financial services headquarters with fast-growing western suburbs.
For a franchise brand, that means planning Des Moines as several local markets, each with its own customers, search results and real estate costs.
Metro
Des Moines–West Des Moines, 6 counties
Population
753,913 (July 2024 estimate)
National rank
82nd-largest metro area
State law
Nearby markets
West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Waukee
Territories
Des Moines spreads across 6 counties, and each part of the metro behaves like its own market. Territories work best when they are sized on households and travel time, not on city or county lines.
Radius territory
Simple to write into the franchise agreement, and a good fit where customers come from a short distance, such as dense, walkable neighborhoods. In spread-out areas the same distance can hold very different numbers of customers.
Drive-time territory
Follows the roads and traffic patterns customers actually use, and can be sized on household counts so every owner starts with comparable demand. A good fit where most customers drive.
For franchise brands
A customer in West Des Moines and a customer in Ankeny see different search results. Each Des Moines unit needs its own page on your franchise website, its own Google Business Profile and its own reviews.
Franchise website design →
A location page for each Des Moines unit, with its own hours, services, reviews and map, on one brand site.
Franchise SEO →
Google Business Profiles and service areas drawn around real Des Moines territories, so units do not compete with each other.
Paid media and PPC →
Search and local campaigns budgeted per territory and measured per location.
Franchise lead generation →
Recruiting owners for open Des Moines territories, within the FTC Franchise Rule.
FAQs
Still have a question? Ask a specialist, free and confidential.
Des Moines sits in the Des Moines–West Des Moines metro area, with 753,913 residents across 6 counties in the Census Bureau’s July 2024 estimate, the 82nd-largest metro area in the United States. Many concepts can support more than one territory here, depending on their customer.
Des Moines spreads across 6 counties, and each part of the metro behaves like its own market. Territories work best when they are sized on households and travel time, not on city or county lines. Territory mapping sizes each territory on households and travel time for your customer.
No. Iowa does not require franchise registration or a state franchise filing. The FTC Franchise Rule still applies: deliver a compliant FDD at least 14 calendar days before a candidate signs or pays.
Communities such as West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale and Waukee each behave like their own market, with their own search results and customer base. Plan them as separate territories rather than one Des Moines market.
Fransion works remotely with franchise brands nationwide, serving Des Moines and the rest of Iowa. Strategy, design and marketing are done by our own team, and we travel for workshops and launches when it helps.
Free consultation
No cost and no obligation. A franchise specialist reviews your details and gets back to you.
01
Share a few details
Tell us about your business and what you want to achieve.
02
Speak with a specialist
A call with a franchise specialist about your goals.
03
Get a clear recommendation
An honest view of where you stand and the right next steps.
Prefer email? hello@fransion.com
