| Statistic | Merle Hay | Des Moines | Iowa |
| Population | 10,098 | 212,859 | 3,106,589 |
| Population density (sq mi) | 4,102 | 2,407 | 55 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 33.7 | 38.0 |
| Male/Female ratio | 1.0:1 | 1.0:1 | 1.0:1 |
| Married (15yrs & older) | n/a | 49% | 60% |
| Families w/ Kids under 18 | 50% | 51% | 44% |
| Speak English | n/a | 83% | 92% |
| Speak Spanish | n/a | 9% | 4% |
| Race | Merle Hay | Des Moines | Iowa |
| White | 82.38% | 77.13% | 90.90% |
| Black or African American | 4.39% | 11.03% | 3.32% |
| Asian | 6.83% | 5.51% | 2.14% |
| American Indian | 0.08% | 0.47% | 0.32% |
| Native Hawaiian | 0.33% | 0.09% | 0.08% |
| Mixed race | 5.52% | 3.38% | 1.97% |
| Other race | 0.47% | 2.40% | 1.27% |