Buying a Home in Ankeny
The north metro's growth engine — new construction, new retail, and a lot of young families.
Ankeny has spent years near the top of Iowa's fastest-growing city lists, and the north metro has been built out around that growth: new subdivisions, new retail corridors along Delaware and Oralabor, and a school district that has expanded to two high schools to keep pace.
Buyers come here for newer housing stock at a more approachable price than the western suburbs, plus a straight shot down I-35 into Des Moines.
Highlights
- Prairie Trail: a large mixed-use development with its own town-center feel
- The main campus of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)
- High Trestle Trail access — one of Iowa's best-known bike trails
- A high share of newer construction across a wide price range
Ankeny by the numbers
Home value, rent & market activity: Zillow Research (2026-08). Income & demographics: U.S. Census ACS (5-year).
Browse current Ankeny listings on Zillow →
Schools
Served by the Ankeny Community School District, which operates two high schools. Boundaries have shifted repeatedly with growth, so confirm for a specific address rather than a neighborhood.
Getting around
Straight down I-35 to downtown Des Moines, typically 20–25 minutes outside of peak. Rush hour on I-35 southbound is the main constraint.
Compare Ankeny
How it stacks up against the areas buyers most often weigh against it:
Metro context
Source: Realtor.com via FRED (metro); Zillow Research (value/rent); U.S. Census ACS (demographics) · Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA · updated 2026-08.
Estimate buy vs rent for Ankeny →
General guide only — verify school boundaries, taxes, and current prices for any specific address. Not real-estate or financial advice.