Capitol Heights
Suburban Neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa
Polk County 50009, 50317
New construction and midcentury homes
The streets give vibes of classic suburbia, with the clean lines of contemporary architecture and well-looked-after sidewalks. At less than a third of an acre, lawns are somewhat smaller than the Iowa average of .47 acres. Many homes follow this “smaller than average” trend, though the most recent construction has seen a considerable uptick in homes that reach 1,900 square feet and higher. Contemporary Craftsman homes are the norm for the latest models, with Cape Cod and ranch-style homes making up most homes built between the 1950s and 80s. Prices begin in the mid-$100,000s for smaller homes and townhouses before reaching mid-$200,000s for 21st-century builds. The newest construction tends to fetch the highest prices, with 2,000-square-foot houses running in the high $300,000s.
/
Play some softball at George Davis Softball Park
At Brook Run Park, families can spend the afternoon having a picnic or exploring the playground equipped with slides and a fully accessible swing. Locals walk their dogs around the Brook Run Park trail and bring their furry friends to Reno Memorial Dog Park for some off-leash excitement. Adults can join a men’s, women’s, or coed softball league at George Davis Softball Park.
/
Post-secondary prep at Goodrell Middle School
Young students can begin their education at Delaware Elementary School, which has an A-minus on Niche and is centrally located within Capitol Heights, making walking to school convenient for many in the area. From there, students can attend Goodrell Middle School, which has a C-minus and offers academic programs that give students a leg up on their journey to college or a career. “We offer Iowa Jobs for American Graduates,” says Carrie Romo, principal of Goodrell Middle School and 11-year veteran of Des Moines public schools. “It’s a program that starts in middle school, continues into high school, and prepares students for post-secondary options.” Finally, older students can enroll at East High School, which has a C and stands out as one of the oldest public schools in Des Moines. Because of Iowa’s open enrollment policy, students can determine the right public school based on interest rather than their local district.
/
Local events and the State Fair
The Iowa State Fair is held about 4 miles south of Capitol Heights. Celebrating the state's agriculture and industry, people come from all over to eat, listen to music and have fun. The Eastview Community Center hosts several events yearly, including an Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast with Santa.20 minutes across town
U.S. Route 6 cuts through the middle of the neighborhood, providing a straightforward route into downtown Des Moines and the Iowa Lutheran Hospital, located 8 miles southwest. For longer trips, Ankeny Regional Airport can be reached 8 miles northwest. “I can get from any side of town to the other in 20 to 25 minutes, even with 5:00 p.m. traffic,” Harper says.Upscale Italian at Johnny's
Specialty burgers and local beers are on the menu at the Burger Shed in neighboring Altoona. Locals can watch the game over dinner or finish a drink at their outdoor seating with a full view of the nearby lake at Prairie Crossing. For a more upscale experience, Johhny’s Italian Steakhouse offers a selection of unique pasta dishes like the shiitake steak risotto with a high-end atmosphere and an extensive list of specialty cocktails. Standard shopping options like Target, Walmart Supercenter and Lowe’s Home Improvement are less than a mile east.Progress led by the community
Started by the Southeast Polk Community Church, Eastview Community Center is designed to be led by the people. “We don’t run many programs because we want the community to do that,” Harper says. “And they do.” Volunteers across the East Side have set up recovery and homeschool programs that residents can join.
Written By
Phil Keeling
Photography Contributed By
Dylan Stowell
Video By
Elia Faith Crianza
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Ginger Atcheson
Ginger Atcheson
Real Estate Property Solutions, LLC
(515) 400-3340
186 Total Sales
2 in Capitol Heights
$338K - $413K Price Range
-
Katey Farrell
Katey Farrell
RE/MAX Precision
(515) 400-4175
58 Total Sales
2 in Capitol Heights
$240K - $290K Price Range
-
Liz Lashier
Liz Lashier
NextHome Your Way
(515) 512-4526
122 Total Sales
1 in Capitol Heights
$249,900 Price
-
Joanne May
Joanne May
RE/MAX Revolution
(515) 461-6816
218 Total Sales
8 in Capitol Heights
$160K - $400K Price Range
-
Andrew Bruellman
Andrew Bruellman
RE/MAX Concepts
(515) 575-2183
241 Total Sales
2 in Capitol Heights
$236K - $247K Price Range
-
Christopher Foster
Christopher Foster
Weichert, Realtors - 515 Agency
(515) 481-5185
80 Total Sales
1 in Capitol Heights
$470,000 Price
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- 6th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Sargent Park
- Bike Trails
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Oak Hill Park
- Basketball
- Playground
- Multi-Purpose Field
Reno Memorial Dog Park
- Dog Park
- Picnic Area
Brook Run Park
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Parking Lot
Copper Creek Lake Park
George Davis Softball Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Playground
- Concessions
Oak Hill Park
- Trails
- Playground
- Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Capitol Heights | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Capitol Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Capitol Heights, Des Moines sell after 95 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Capitol Heights, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $317,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$330,000
Median Sale Price
$317,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$328,950
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$176,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
155
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$216
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,930
Number of Homes for Sale
53
Median Year Built
2001
Months of Supply
4.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,420
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,488
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,291
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
1,166
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,325
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
-
$875 - $1,050 per month
- Prairie Woods Apartments
- 1-3 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 625+ Sq Ft
- 4014 Hubbell Ave
- Des Moines, IA
-
$800 - $1,160 per month
- Parkside East
- 1-3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 648+ Sq Ft
- 3540 E Douglas Ave
- Des Moines, IA
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
7,427
Median Age
38
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$62,727
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$77,400
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.7%
College Graduates
19.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
72.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
14°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
45''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
27
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
9
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Douglas Acres
Suburban enclave outside of Des Moines with quick access to amenities
Copper Creek
Peaceful suburban living in proximity to lake park and golf course
Sheridan Gardens
Quiet suburbia in far northeastern Des Moines
Accent
A quiet suburbia on Des Moines' northeastern outskirts.
Fairmont Park
Suburban neighborhood about 5 miles from downtown Des Moines
Gray's Woods
A quiet retreat with access to senior community center and outdoor recreations
Reviews
Are you familiar with the Capitol Heights neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Was this page helpful?