Buying a Home in Norwalk
A growing south-metro city that has stayed closer to town than Indianola.
Norwalk occupies a useful middle ground on the south side: far enough out for newer, larger-lot construction and a small-city feel, close enough that the commute stays reasonable.
It has grown substantially in recent years, and much of the housing stock reflects that — newer subdivisions rather than the older stock you'd find in Des Moines proper.
Highlights
- Newer construction with generally larger lots than the inner suburbs
- A compact, growing city center with expanding local amenities
- Great Western Trail access running north toward the city
- Shorter commute than Indianola while keeping a small-city feel
Norwalk by the numbers
Home value, rent & market activity: Zillow Research (2026-08). Income & demographics: U.S. Census ACS (5-year).
Browse current Norwalk listings on Zillow →
Schools
Served by the Norwalk Community School District, which has expanded alongside the city's growth.
Getting around
South metro via I-35 and Highway 28; commonly 20–25 minutes to downtown Des Moines.
Compare Norwalk
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 Norwalk →
General guide only — verify school boundaries, taxes, and current prices for any specific address. Not real-estate or financial advice.