Des Moines is a city in King County, Washington, set on the eastern shore of Puget Sound roughly midway between Seattle and Tacoma, near the center of the Seattle metropolitan area. Its 2020 population was about 32,900, and the city is primarily residential, occupying a series of hillside neighborhoods that step down toward the water. That geography gives many parts of the city expansive views of Puget Sound, Vashon and Maury Islands, and the Olympic Mountains beyond. The city's defining feature is its waterfront. The Des Moines Marina is the community's centerpiece, providing moorage for hundreds of boats, a fishing pier, and a waterfront walkway, and it has long been a regional draw for boating and fishing enthusiasts. Shoreline parks such as Des Moines Beach Park bring residents to the water's edge for picnicking, beachcombing, and events. This water-oriented identity sets Des Moines apart from many other South King County suburbs and shapes both its recreation and its civic life. Des Moines has also become a more connected community through recent transit investments. Highline College, a community college located within the city, anchors the education landscape, and Sound Transit's 1 Line light rail serves the area at the Kent Des Moines station near the college, linking residents to the regional rail network and to Seattle. A passenger ferry service connecting the marina to downtown Seattle adds a waterborne commuting option. With Interstate 5 and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport nearby, Des Moines sits at the intersection of a quiet, water-oriented lifestyle and one of the region's best-connected transportation corridors, appealing to commuters, families, and anyone drawn to Puget Sound living.