| Des Moines is a city in central Iowa that is also the capital of the state. It was established in 1851. The population of the city is about 199,000 and the MSA has about 560,000 residents. The median family income is $46,000. The area is home to many corporate offices, financial and insurance, such as American Republic Insurance Company, AmerUs Group, EMC Insurance Group, and Holmes Murphy, as well as the presence of Firestone, John Deere, Wells Fargo, EDS (Electronic Data Systems) and UPS. The area's top employer is Principal Financial Group. The Civic Center of Des Moines hosts popular attractions. The Des Moines Symphony and Des Moines Metro Opera are local favorites. Wells Fargo Arena hosts national performers. One of the most attractive in the nation, the Iowa State Capitol is located in Des Moines. The State of Iowa Historical Museum attracts thousands of visitors. Area highways include Interstate I-235, I-80, and I-35. The Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) handles public transportation. Higher education institutions in the area include Grand View University, Upper Iowa University, Drake University, William Penn University, Des Moines Area Community College, and University of Phoenix. Clear Channel Communications owns many of the local radio stations. The area's main newspaper is the Des Moines Register. Local sports teams include arena football's Iowa Barnstormers, baseball's Iowa Cubs, hockey's Des Moines Buccaneers, and soccer's Des Moines Menace. |
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