$157,530Average Value$166Average Price per Sq Ft18Homes For Sale
Living next door to Iowa State Fair fun
The Iowa State Fairgrounds sees visitors from all over the country for Iowa’s largest state fair, but residents in the Fairground neighborhood have access to the year-round fun minutes from their doorsteps. “The homes are older, but people who live there have been in the area forever,” says Jordan Graves, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty who works in Fairgrounds. The neighborhood sits less than 5 miles away from Downtown Des Moines. Residents can drive down East University Avenue to explore the museums downtown before returning to their bungalows or Craftsman-style homes. Locals don’t have to go far to find popular dining spots like Gerri’s Bar & Grill or Latin King Italian Dining. When residents need a break from the flea markets, horse fairs and annual Iowa State Fair events, they head to outdoor spots like Laurel Hill Park or stay in the air conditioning with a trip to East Side Library. With fun to the east and work to the west, the Fairgrounds neighborhood gives locals a place to relax and convenient access to fun.
The Fairground neighborhood takes much of its identity from the annual Iowa State Fair.
Fairground residents have easy access to Downtown Des Moines via E University and I-235.
1/2
Iowa State Fairgrounds and quiet parks
August always gets busy with the Iowa State Fair, but the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where the event is held, has a calendar full of things to do. Guests can pay to park on the fairgrounds or park off-site and ride over on a DART State Fair Park & Ride Shuttle. When the Iowa State Fair does roll around, locals have easy access to the 11 days of browsing vendors, catching live music, enjoying carnival rides and hanging out with friends. Fairground residents can also use the Iowa State Fair Campgrounds when they want to sleep under the stars without an exhausting trip to a faraway campsite. Parents who want to take their kids to a quieter place visit Ashfield Park. Here, guests can run around the open field, use the playground equipment or have lunch under the pavilion. Another option is Laurel Hill Park, which sits south of the state fairgrounds and features a basketball court.
The Sky Glider at the Iowa State Fair transports visitors across the grounds with the best views
Ashfield Park's playground overlooks a larger open field, perfect for soccer and football games.
1/2
Getting drinks at Gerri's Bar & Grill
Some Fairground residents live within walking distance from popular locally owned dining spots. Graves mentions the area has multiple popular dive bars, including Gerri’s Bar & Grill. The locally owned spot serves sandwiches and wings alongside their drinks. Latin King Dining seats guests in an old-school Italian dining room before serving authentic dishes. For dessert, locals stop by Dairy Zone ice cream shop for dip cones, sundaes and slushes. Papa Kerns Cafe serves classic American dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Residents who need ingredients for a homecooked meal visit the nearby Aldi location on East University Avenue or the Hy-Vee off Maple Drive. Those who want to wander around a mall on a lazy Saturday drive to the Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona. “The Jordan Creek Town Center is about 25 minutes away from Fairgrounds, and it’s a popular place,” Graves says. The Jordan Creek Town Center sits west of Downtown Des Moines, and shoppers can walk around the main building or shop at other stores around the mall.
Dairy Zone is another Des Moines staple that Fairground residents get to call their own.
A Des Moines staple, Latin King has been serving Italian favorites for decades.
Gerri's is a staple in Fairground for wings, burgers, cold drinks, and good times.
1/3
DART buses and access to I-235
When locals want to visit Altoona or downtown Des Moines, they drive down East University Avenue before merging onto Interstate 235. DART buses run up and down East Grand Avenue and connect residents to downtown. Skinny sidewalks with grass popping up between the cracks often run in front of the homes. While this makes it easier for residents to walk around the neighborhood, most save their time by driving to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Fairground residents have easy access to Downtown Des Moines via E University and I-235.
Bus stops along E University and E Grand connect Fairground with the rest of Des Moines.
1/2
Older bungalows with modern touches
Bungalows, Craftsman-style homes and Colonial-style homes fill the Fairground neighborhood and were built in the late 1800s up to the early 1900s, featuring modern renovations. Most hit the market for $100,000 to $285,000, but some fixer-upper homes sell for $100,000 or less. Future residents can find multiple three-bedroom units with paved driveways, detached garages and moderate yards. Homes that hit the market usually get new owners in less than a month.
Some of the older homes in Fairground were built as early as the 1890s.
Bungalows with pops of color are popular for Fairground residents.
Small brick cottages give Fairground great character.
1/3
Free lunches at Willard Elementary
Students here often attend Willard Elementary School, which gets a C-minus from Niche and supports students with a free lunch program. After spending time at the C-minus-rated Hiatt Middle School, kids head to the C-rated East High School and become a part of the student body, known as the East Scarlets.
The school colors of Willard Elementary are blue and yellow, and the mascot is the Wildcats.
Hiatt Middle School serves Fairground students in grades 6-8.
Fairground high school students attend East High School.
1/3
Community full of churches and small businesses
Fairground is home to multiple small businesses and warehouses. From dive bars to painting companies, residents have access to potential jobs within walking distance from their homes. Six churches fill the area, including the Galilee Baptist Church, which has been standing for over 100 years.
Fairground residents take pride in their neighborhood, their city, and their country.
Fairground residents can drive two miles east to the Pleasant Hill HyVee for groceries, too.
Generations have been coming to Latin King to celebrate special occasions and enjoy great food.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Fairground neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Fairground
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Fairground Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Fairground, Des Moines sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Fairground, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $155,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This charming bungalow is ready for a new owner to make it their own. Located just steps from the fairgrounds, you will enjoy front row seats to lively people watching and local events. A welcoming four season front porch leads into the living room, with the kitchen conveniently nearby, making entertaining easy. The main level features two bedrooms and a full bathroom. The basement is unfinished
This well maintained home offers over 2,000 square feet of finished living space with a functional and inviting layout. Real hardwood floors add warmth and character throughout the main level, complemented by an updated kitchen with modern finishes and ample cabinet space. Multiple bedrooms are conveniently located on the main floor, providing easy one level living. The finished lower level
Beautifully Updated Home – Move-In Ready! This freshly renovated home offers a clean, modern feel with quality updates throughout. Step inside to find a bright, open layout featuring brand-new flooring, fresh paint, and updated lighting that gives the entire space a crisp, welcoming look. The kitchen has been fully refreshed with new cabinetry, countertops, and stainless steel appliances, making
Fully updated 1.5-story home featuring 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms.This home blends character with modern upgrades throughout.Recent improvements include newer windows, updated kitchen and bathrooms, new flooring, fresh interior paint, and brand new kitchen appliances, making it truly move-in ready.Situated on a5,600 sf ft lot with convenient access to shopping, dining, and major
Welcome to 2743 Des Moines Street. Step inside through the large enclosed front porch. This versatile space is ideal for a home office, morning coffee spot. The main level features an open and comfortable living area with an electric fireplace along with a tray ceiling, flowing seamlessly into the dining room, and a bright, white kitchen. You'll love the generous cabinet space, updated
Opportunity awaits at this 2-bedroom, 1-bath home located at 2048 E Walnut Street. Whether you're looking for your next flip project or a solid addition to your rental portfolio, this property offers the perfect canvas to bring your vision to life. Inside, you'll find a functional layout with great flow and plenty of potential to enhance and customize. Major updates have already been taken care
Welcome home to this brand-new construction in Des Moines, ideally located just west of the Fairgrounds! This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home blends modern finishes with everyday functionality—perfect for first-time buyers or those ready to move up. Step inside to an open-concept layout featuring durable luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, a stylish electric fireplace, and great natural light. The kitchen
Beautifully renovated ranch in the sought-after Fairgrounds area, just minutes from downtown! This 4-bedroom, 2-bath home has been completely transformed with stylish, modern updates throughout. Enjoy brand-new flooring, fresh interior paint, a fully redesigned kitchen with new appliances, and stunningly updated bathrooms featuring contemporary tile finishes. Offering convenient single-level
Completely renovated from top to bottom, this updated duplex offers a great opportunity for an investor or someone looking to live in one unit and rent the other. Each side includes 1 bedroom, 1 full bath, a fully remodeled kitchen, and a comfortable living area. The property has been refreshed throughout with new LVP flooring, fresh paint, and clean, modern finishes. The kitchens feature
Don't miss this well-maintained 3-bedroom, 1-bath home offering space and function! Featuring a large driveway plus a full 2-car garage, this property provides exceptional off-street parking, storage, or workshop potential.Inside, you'll find a bright and inviting living area, three bedrooms, 1 bathroom and a practical layout designed for comfortable everyday living. The kitchen offers great
Welcome to this inviting 3 bedroom 2 bath home in a convenient location within walking distance to the fairgrounds and just minutes from downtown, shopping and dining. The kitchen features granite countertops and a functional workspace. The main level offers two comfortable bedrooms and a full bath, while the upper level is dedicated to a private primary suite with its own full bath. The lower
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
