A newcomers guide to Des Moines

If you're new to Des Moines — welcome!

Driving the news: We admit that our reputation isn't always the most appealing at times, especially when the running joke is that we're trying to convince people we're not boring.

Yes, but: There are plenty of fun facts and underrated perks about our metro.

🇫🇷 How it started: "Des Moines" is French for "The Monks." But the etymology of the name is more complicated. It actually derives from the Moingona tribe that lived north of the Des Moines River.

🦝 Our unofficial mascot , the raccoon, was suggested by an Axios Des Moines reader in 2022:

• " An adventurous, active raccoon in overalls or wearing a seed corn hat (Iowa ag connection), with Vans sneakers (skate park), wearing a Raygun/Bozz shirt (it's like city required), probably riding a bike (trail system) all while waving a Des Moines flag with a Busch Light in hand ... or maybe a corn dog (state fair) ."

🌎 While Des Moines is majority white, the metro's demographics are diversifying and some of the fastest-growing populations are Latino and Asian.

🚲 Some of our suburbs are the most bike-friendly in the country, especially Ankeny, which touts wide sidewalks and city-wide trails.

🎡 Sometimes bigger is better: The Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market is one of the best and biggest seasonal markets in the U.S., while the Iowa State Fair boasts some of the biggest state fair attendance numbers in the nation.