A relatively affordable neighborhood next to an aquatic center
On hot summer days, Grand-Summit residents flock to Furman Aquatic Center to zip down water slides and float in the lazy river. The suburb also borders an expansive public greenspace and one of Iowa's highest-rated high schools. In addition to these nearby perks, the mid-century starter homes in the neighborhood attract homebuyers to Grand-Summit. "The primary draw of this neighborhood is that the price point is so low in comparison to other neighborhoods in Ames," says Realtor Collin Fett, who sells property in the neighborhood with Fett Realty and Management. "The houses were built economically 60 years ago, and they are still economical."
Grand-Summit’s quiet streets are perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
The cozy bungalows of Grand-Summit are a staple of Ames’ historic architecture.
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Mid-century bungalows and ranch styles
The neighborhood’s old-growth trees indicate that the homes have been around for a while. Most were built from the 1940s through the ‘60s and are priced from $70,000 to $360,000. "A couple of houses have been sold that were in really rough shape, but most have had their maintenance kept up with," Fett says. There is a mix of bungalows, ranch styles and duplexes, and it’s typical to see gardens and fenced-in backyards. Residents may hear some noise from trains that run on the tracks in the neighborhood’s west end, but the sound level is average otherwise.
Historic charm meets modern living in the bungalows of Grand-Summit.
From cozy bungalows to spacious ranches, Grand-Summit offers something for everyone.
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Within walking distance of the highly rated Ames High School
An elementary school and the city's sole high school are each within walking distance of Grand-Summit. Meeker Elementary and Ames Middle each have B Niche ratings, while Ames High School has an A-minus Niche rating and a 97% graduation rate. It was named the top Iowa high school in 2019 by U.S. News & World Report and, in 2022, moved to a new $140 million building. The high school’s athletics department also has 93 state championship titles, more than any other school in the state. For college-aged students and lifelong learners, Ames is home to Iowa State University, which has about 25,300 undergraduates and 4,200 postgraduates.
Fellows Elementary is where Grand-Summit’s youngest learners grow and thrive.
Ames Middle School is just a short commute for Grand-Summit students.
Ames High School prepares Grand-Summit teens for success in college and beyond.
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Sports and picnics at Brookside Park
When it's time to get some fresh air, Brookside Park is directly adjacent to the neighborhood with baseball fields, basketball courts, volleyball courts and tennis courts. There are also miles of walking trails along Ioway Creek, picnic shelters, grills and playgrounds.
Brookside Park offers plenty of playgrounds for Grand-Summit kids to explore.
Duff Park’s playground is a favorite spot for Grand-Summit families to gather.
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Bethesda Lutheran Church is a spiritual anchor for many in Grand-Summit.
Year-round events at Bethesda Lutheran Church
Bethesda Lutheran Church is in the middle of Grand-Summit, fostering a sense of community with year-round events. In 2024, the church invited Denver and the Mile High Orchestra to perform big band Christmas classics in its sanctuary. They also host Scandinavian Coffee, an event featuring traditional pastries, a Swedish meatball lunch and a craft fair. For Halloween, Bethesda Lutheran holds a trunk-or-treat.
Craft beer and barbecue on Main Street
The neighborhood is a short drive from Ames' thriving downtown. Main Street is home to Sweet Caroline's, which serves Southern comfort food, and just down the street, Cornbread Barbecue serves craft beer and dishes smothered in house sauce. A few blocks off Main Street, there's a Fareway Meat & Grocery. Not far from the neighborhood, North Grand Mall has big-box retailers like Kohl's and JCPenney.
Main Street Station’s Cornbred is a must-visit for Grand-Summit BBQ enthusiasts.
From lunch to late night, Sweet Caroline’s serves up smiles for Grand-Summit neighbors.
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College football at Jack Trice Stadium and floral scenery at Reiman Gardens
Iowa State University's sports teams are a major attraction for the city. The football program faces off against other Big 12 Conference teams at Jack Trice Stadium, and the men's and women's basketball teams compete in the NCAA Division I at Hilton Coliseum.
Aside from college sports, Ames has several other attractions. The 17-acre Reiman Gardens has flower gardens, greenhouses and an indoor butterfly wing. The International Garden Tourism Conference ranked it a "Top 10 Garden worth traveling for" in 2023. The Octagon Center for the Arts provides painting, photography, sculpture and pottery classes for all ages.
Cyclones fans in Grand-Summit love the energy at nearby Hilton Coliseum.
Grand-Summit residents enjoy concerts and theater at Stephens Auditorium.
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Getting around Ames
The neighborhood is several blocks from Mary Greeley Medical Center, a 220-bed hospital with inpatient and outpatient services. Bus stops line Grand Avenue and 16th Street. Des Moines International Airport is about 40 miles south of the neighborhood via Interstate 35.
The CyRide bus system makes it easy for Grand-Summit neighbors to get around.
Nestled near Main Street, Grand-Summit combines small-town charm with modern living.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cody Greenfield,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Bandshell Park
Brookside Park
Duff Park
Transit
Airport
Des Moines International
56 min drive
Bus
16th Street & Northwestern Avenue Southbound
Bus
16th Street & Roosevelt Avenue Eastbound
Bus
13th Street & Northwestern Avenue Westbound
Bus
16th Street & Grand Avenue Westbound
Bus
13th Street & Roosevelt Avenue Westbound
Bus
16th Street & Roosevelt Avenue Westbound
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Grand-Summit
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Grand-Summit, Ames sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Grand-Summit, Ames over the last 12 months is $215,363, down 6% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$236,000
Median Single Family Price
$236,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$191
Last 12 months Home Sales
11
Median List Price
$235,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-6%
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cody Greenfield,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
585
Median Age
35
Population under 18
24.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$65,750
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$72,579
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
48.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21.6%
% Population in Labor Force
62.2%
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
70/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
23/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
