As Iowa's capital city, Des Moines is a hub of government action, business activity and cultural affairs. With a Metro population of 456,000, Des Moines is a bustling metropolis. But though we have big city bustle, we're extremely proud of our small town atmosphere. Our community offers quality schools, superb public services, and friendly neighborhoods. Truly the best of both worlds! *The Iowa Open Records Act applies to records of this site so that content on this site which is kept as a record of the City of Des Moines is subject to public disclosure requirements