The Des Moines area’s population grew 18.6% from 2010 to 2021, making it the fastest growing metro area by percentage in the Midwest over that time period, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The Des Moines/West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area grew from 606,475 in 2010 to 719,146 last year. By percentage, Des Moines grew faster than other Midwestern cities, including Chicago, Omaha, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and St. Louis, for the period from 2010 to 2021. The continued growth is part of a trend that officials with the Greater Des Moines Partnership said shows the region’s population reaching 1 million people in the coming years. Jay Byers, president and CEO of the Partnership, said the growth is another indicator that the region is poised for “a strong post-pandemic future, and the region’s strength is largely the result of the community’s collective commitment to work as one region and invest in major projects and initiatives to attract and retain talent.” The Des Moines area grew 1.2% from July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021, according to census data.