WebDes Moines (/ d ə ˈ m ɔɪ n / ⓘ də-MOYN) is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa.It is the county seat of Polk County with parts extending into Warren County.It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines, which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857. It is located on, and named after, the Des Moines River, which likely was adapted from the early ...