$263,576Average Value$223Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Rising from the Iowa prairie
For many years, De Soto has been known as a bedroom community for the nearby city of Des Moines, Iowa. It’s a small town rising gently among the sprawling midwestern flatlands – the kind of place where everybody knows one another. “De Soto has really been that type of town for a lot of years,” says Butch Ostrander, former De Soto mayor and life-long resident. Ranch-style houses dominate the housing market, though new construction is underway. There are also many available lots for buyers looking to build their houses from the ground up. Boasting a comfortable commute to Des Moines, a celebrated school system and a calculated approach to expansion, De Soto is a neighborhood that is well-positioned for its time to shine.
De Soto’s town center features well-kept older homes with unique character.
Fareway in Adel provides convenient grocery access for De Soto families.
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Getting distance from Des Moines
While ranch-style houses currently abound, De Soto has experienced a sizeable recent expansion. “We’ve added about 40 units in the past few years – townhouses and such. We’re a very attractive city,” Ostrander says. “People can shop in the city and live in the country. There’s not a house that gets built that doesn’t sell.” Ranch-style houses are often priced between $240,000 and $300,000, while newer split-levels rise as high as $400,000. Undeveloped lots sell between $150,000 and $200,000. Houses sit on bright green lawns, and the checkerboard neighborhood streets promise a calm respite from the rush of the city.
De Soto’s newer homes feature open floor plans and contemporary finishes.
De Soto’s well-kept historic homes reflect timeless charm and distinctive style.
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The distinctive ADM school district
Students in De Soto begin 6 miles away at Adel Elementary School, rated B-minus on Niche, which serves students from prekindergarten to first grade. Meadow View Elementary, which opened in Adel in 2021, serves second through fourth grade and hosts an annual Fine Arts Boosters Craft Show. De Soto Intermediate School earns a B-plus teaching students in grades five and six and is the only school in the district located directly in De Soto. ADM Middle School, which teaches seventh and eighth grades and scores a B-plus, offers power reading programs. Students finish at ADM High School, also rated B-plus, where the girls’ volleyball team completed an undefeated in-conference season in 2023.
Meadow View Elementary School in Adel serves De Soto students in grades 2-4.
ADM High School guides students toward academic and career success.
ADM High School guides students toward academic and career success.
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To Des Moines and beyond
“Another big draw for the city is that interstate 80 runs right through it,” Ostrander adds. “Highway 160 and Interstate 80 crisscross right through De Soto, and those are two of the most highly-traveled roads in the U.S.” I-80 heads east to Des Moines and Chicago or west all the way to San Francisco. Interstate 35, just 16 miles from the neighborhood, stretches north to Duluth, Minnesota and south to the Mexican border. Des Moines International Airport is roughly 24 miles from town.
De Soto residents reach Iowa’s capital, Des Moines, via I-80 in under 30 minutes.
Des Moines International Airport offers global flights just 24 miles from De Soto.
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Dining and DIY in De Soto
Residents can visit De Soto's Dollar General location for various consumer goods and grocery needs. Gas station locations Casey’s General Store and Kum & Go offer smaller market options for snacks and beverages. Ambro’s Roadhouse is a quintessential small-town eatery where locals catch up with neighbors over burgers and drinks. The area’s Tractor Supply Co. location provides residents access to various tools and gadgets for home repair and renovation, alongside various lawn, garden, agricultural and home improvement needs.
A favorite in De Soto, Ambro’s Roadhouse brings neighbors together over food and conversation.
From pet food to garden gear, Tractor Supply Co is a go-to for De Soto shoppers.
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Little Bridge at home, Evans in Adel
De Soto’s solitary Little Bridge Park rests on the town’s southeastern side by the train tracks. The park features a playground and an aptly-monikered little bridge crossing over a small creek. A short 6 miles up the road in Adel, Evans Park is home to a nine-hole disc golf course, a 125-foot zipline and a paved half-mile walking trail.
Adel’s Evans Park features winding trails popular with walkers and nature lovers.
A favorite in De Soto, Little Bridge Park is perfect for picnics, play, and community gatherings.
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De Soto Fun Days
Every year the city hosts De Soto Fun Days in late summer; the events often feature bounce houses, arts and crafts, food trucks and a parade. A short 25-mile drive down I-80 brings residents to downtown Des Moines, where music and heritage festivals are hosted regularly. High school sports are a popular pastime; many residents travel 6 miles to Adel to cheer on the boys’ basketball team at ADM High.
I-80 links De Soto to downtown Des Moines, home to the World Food and Music Festival.
The World Food and Music Festival draws De Soto residents to downtown Des Moines.
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The De Soto boom
De Soto has experienced a boom of recent growth, becoming one of the only towns in Iowa with its own self-sufficient water treatment facility. Businesses buy up plots of land looking to take advantage of the town’s proximity to Des Moines without the downside of city traffic. A $50 million plan for the construction of a new high school was recently approved. Through it all, De Soto remains the picture of a small town where citizens come together to allow their community to thrive. Mr. Ostrander believes that the patience and good sense of the neighborhood are just beginning to pay off. “We have a sensible, involved community here. We’re going to explode someday,” he says. “There’s no doubt about it.”
Ambro's Roadhouse is De Soto’s only restaurant located along the main highway through town.
Railroad tracks run through De Soto, linking the town to destinations across the U.S.
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Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Garrett Ludwig
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ryan Hoover,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in De Soto, IA sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in De Soto, IA over the last 12 months is $238,400, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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