In the Greater Des Moines metropolitan area, 34 percent of the population lives in a census track identified as an Environmental Justice Area. These are places with higher-than-regional-average concentrations of traditionally underserved individuals.

The MPO works to ensure the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all residents in the region.  To ensure fair treatment, the MPO identifies Environmental Justice (EJ) areas or areas with large populations of traditionally underserved individuals.

It is important for local governments to be aware of Environmental Justice Areas when making policy decisions such as where to make infrastructure investments.

Click here for full Environmental Justice Report.

Click here to explore an interactive map of the environmental justice areas.