Microsoft Iowa campuses
Microsoft
Who lives here?
Income: 50265 median household income: $85,915
Race: The city is majority White and more diverse than many Iowa communities.
Comparison class: Above-average income and majority White
What the community may receive
Construction, skilled jobs and local tax base; Microsoft reports substantial local employment.
What the community may carry
In July 2022 Microsoft facilities used about 11.5 million gallons—roughly 6% of the water district’s use that month—prompting new scrutiny during drought.
Power, water and infrastructure
Newer buildings are reported to use closed-loop cooling with near-zero operational water consumption.
Government response
West Des Moines Water Works said future projects must substantially reduce peak water demand.
Equity finding
This prosperous suburban case demonstrates that high water use can become controversial even where local fiscal capacity is comparatively strong.