Des Moines (/dəˈmɔɪnz/ də-MOYNZ) is a city in King County, Washington, United States.

[6] The city is located on the east shore of Puget Sound, near the center of the Seattle metropolitan area.

It is bordered by the suburbs of Federal Way to the south, Kent to the east, SeaTac to the northeast, Burien to the north, and Normandy Park to the northwest.

Des Moines is one of the few points along this shoreline where the topography facilitates access to the water, and a recreational marina operated by the city, with moorage, boat launching and pier fishing facilities, is located there.

Blasher persuaded some friends in his home city of Des Moines, Iowa, to help finance the development of a town on Puget Sound.

[8] In 1889 the area was platted into lots and sold by the Des Moines Improvement Company, which had been incorporated by F. A. Blasher, Orin Watts Barlow, Charles M. Johnson, and John W. Kleeb.

The mosquito fleet provided access to Seattle, Tacoma, and Vashon.

The first cross-Puget Sound automobile ferry started service from Des Moines to Portage on November 13, 1916.

Before World War II farming fueled the local economy.

With increased population, the county government was unable to supply the level of service and local control desired by Des Moines residents.

In response to these needs, Des Moines was officially incorporated on June 17, 1959.

On December 12, 1969, an F3 tornado injured one person near Saltwater State Park.

In 1980, a 670-foot (200 m) concrete and aluminum fishing pier was built at the northern end of the marina.

[4] Most of the city rolls gently down to the waters of Puget Sound from an elevation of approximately 400 feet (120 m) along the eastern city boundary on Pacific Highway, allowing many homes to enjoy an unobstructed view of the sound and Vashon.

[23] CWU-Des Moines, a branch of Central Washington University, is co-located on the Highline College campus and offers several bachelor and graduate degrees.

[29] King County Metro provides bus service from Des Moines to surrounding areas, including Burien Transit Center and Kent station.

[30] The nearest Link light rail station is Angle Lake, which is connected to downtown Des Moines by a shuttle bus that debuted in 2018.

[31] Sound Transit plans to open the Kent Des Moines light rail station near Highline College in 2026 as part of a Link light rail extension to Federal Way.