Buying a Home in Pleasant Hill
A quiet east-metro city bordering Des Moines, with lake and trail access.
Pleasant Hill sits directly against the east side of Des Moines, which makes it one of the shorter commutes in the metro while still being a separate city with its own quieter residential character.
Copper Creek Lake Park is the local centerpiece, and the city has added newer neighborhoods around it while keeping a low-key feel overall.
Highlights
- Copper Creek Lake Park — swimming, trails, and open space
- Directly adjacent to Des Moines, keeping commutes short
- A mix of established homes and newer subdivisions
- Chichaqua Valley and Gay Lea Wilson trail connections
Pleasant Hill by the numbers
Home value, rent & market activity: Zillow Research (2026-08). Income & demographics: U.S. Census ACS (5-year).
Browse current Pleasant Hill listings on Zillow →
Schools
Primarily the Southeast Polk Community School District, with portions in Des Moines Public Schools depending on location — verify by address.
Getting around
East metro bordering Des Moines; often 12–18 minutes to downtown via US-65 or Hubbell Ave.
Compare Pleasant Hill
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 Pleasant Hill →
General guide only — verify school boundaries, taxes, and current prices for any specific address. Not real-estate or financial advice.