New report details wage gap, other disparities, hurting Polk County’s Black residents

The Director’s Council released the report: One Economy: The Path Forward. The 55-page report details the economic landscape for Black residents in Polk County and identifies the racial disparities facing Black people in the state’s most populous county.

This is the third report by the nonprofit council of Des Moines’ Black leaders.

Researchers studied housing, health, education, employment and financial inclusivity. The report includes data, storytelling and recommendations.

“The data shows the urgency of our mission. The wage gap alone represents over $1 billion in potential earnings, dollars that could stimulate our local economy. Homeownership disparities reveal a loss in generational wealth that affects community stability. Health inequities impact productivity and quality of life. These gaps hinder not only the Black community but also the broader prosperity of Polk County,” the report found.

Download a copy of the 2025 One Economy report: