$143,926Average Value$127Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Neighborhood located just east of the Iowa State Capitol
Located just east of the state capitol complex is Capitol East, one of Iowa’s oldest neighborhoods. Bordered to the south by the East Des Moines Diamond Railroad Crossing, this bustling urban area is home to a number of family-owned local restaurants and boutique clothing shops. Single-family homes here sit close together and line-gridded residential streets that cluster around small shopping centers and public parks. “There’s really good walkability in this area,” says Realtor Alexis Johnson, who is currently with Iowa Realty Beaverdale and has over a decade of industry experience. At the center of the neighborhood is Capitol View Elementary School, part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, which receives a C rating from Niche.
Capitol East.
Capitol East.
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Traditional ranch-style homes and bungalows
Single-family homes in this neighborhood reflect a variety of architectural styles, but some of the more common residences include traditional-style bungalows and ranch-style properties, as well as a handful of American Foursquare homes with vinyl siding and dormer windows. Some properties include paved driveways and attached garages, but street parking is also common in this area. A four-bedroom traditional ranch-style home built in 2019 can cost approximately $275,000, while some two-bedroom bungalows constructed in 1921 can sell for just over $105,000. There are also a handful of smaller condominiums and townhome complexes in this neighborhood, including the Capitol View Apartments and Bloomsbury Village.
Ranches and bungalows offer residents of Capitol East a quaint option for homes.
Cobblestone sidewalks and updated homes line this Capitol East street.
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Fixed bus routes along Grand Avenue and 15th Street
Public transportation is provided by the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), which operates fixed bus routes along East Grand Avenue and U.S. Highway 69, also known as East 15th Street, which run both run throughout the neighborhood. Residents can either walk or drive approximately 2 miles west to reach Downtown Des Moines. Located directly north of the neighborhood is Interstate 235, which connects commuters to the reaches of Polk County and the western Des Moines area. Residents can drive just over 7 miles southwest using Fleur Drive to catch a flight at the Des Moines International Airport.
Capitol East.
Capitol East.
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Local restaurant hosts weekly trivia night and live music performances
There are a number of dining and shopping options located throughout the Capitol East area; at Rolling Wok Café, residents can enjoy pan-Asian cuisine in a cozy yet colorful dining space. Right next door is Paleteria La Michoacana, a local ice cream shop and Mexican food eatery. Further down the street, residents can head to Kelly’s Little Nipper, a bar and grill established in 1940 that features live music performances and hosts weekly trivia every Wednesday night. There are also a number of Latin American grocery stores scattered throughout the neighborhood, including Tienda Mexicana, Tapatia Grocery and the La Favorita market, which offers in-store dining in addition to a wide selection of food products. On East Grande Street, locals can shop for men’s apparel at La Bufa and then head across the street to browse Lupita’s Boutique.
A favorite of Capitol East locals, Kelly's Little Nipper serves great food and fantastic drinks.
Capitol East.
Shopping and dining along Grand Avenue offers Capitol East residents plenty of retail options.
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Local parks can be found throughout the neighborhood
Featuring unique playground structures for younger residents to explore, as well as an open lawn space, Stewart Square Park is a popular outdoor recreation spot on the neighborhood’s west side. Ashfield Park in northeastern Capitol East features basketball courts as well as an open shelter with tables and charcoal grills, making it an ideal picnic spot. In the neighborhood’s southernmost area, Redhead Park offers residents open green space and playground equipment. It’s also at Redhead Park that locals can find a small historic landmark: a plaque established in 1925 as a memorial to the Iowan volunteers who joined the Union Army during the Civil War.
Redhead Park offers a picnic pavilion and a themed playground in Capitol East.
In the center of Stewart Square Park is a shaded stage and viewing area for Capitol East events.
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Advanced Placement programs offered at East High School
Centrally located in Capitol East is Capitol View Elementary School, a C-minus-rated primary institution that serves young learners in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten through fifth grade. Intermediate students can attend nearby Hiatt Middle School, also rated C-minus. Students in grades nine through 12 might go to East High School, a C-rated secondary school that offers a number of academic programs, including Advanced Placement courses.
Capital View Elementary serves Capitol East students in grades K-5.
The historic architecture of Hiatt Middle School calls Martin Luther King Jr Park home.
Students find all kinds of clubs, activities, and sports at East High School near Capitol East.
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Downtown farmers’ market hosted weekly from May through October
In Downtown Des Moines and the surrounding urban areas, residents can find a “number of festivals and events,” Johnson says. Between May and October, Downtown Des Moines’ Historic Court Districts hosts a weekly farmers’ market that takes place every Saturday. Capitol East residents are also convenient to the sprawling Iowa State Capital complex, which features a state historical building and museum.
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
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Capitol East Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Capitol East, Des Moines sell after 74 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Capitol East, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $137,500, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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