Why families and commuters are drawn to Capitol Heights
Capitol Heights has fostered a sense of small-town community with a suburban feeling, attracting families in particular for generations. A major avenue runs through the neighborhood, connecting it to the Des Moines Metro Area. While Capitol Heights is more residential, it’s between Downtown Des Moines and Altoona, so shopping, dining and entertainment are close by. Its location appeals to commuters, while its wide range of housing options attracts first-time buyers.
Postwar houses and newer construction shape the streets
Contemporary architecture and well-maintained sidewalks define the streets of Capitol Heights. “Homes are a mix, but some of them are small [ranch-style homes] that were built right after WWII,” says Angela Veatch, a Realtor with Re/Max Revolution who sells in the area. She also notes that many of these homes have finished basements. There is also plenty of new construction here with Craftsman and other styles of homes built as recently as 2025. Homes tend to average around 1,400 square feet, compared to the national average of around 2,000 square feet. The median lot size is around a quarter of an acre.
Some neighborhoods feature a high density mix of housing styles.
A larger Traditional-style home in one of the neighborhood's developments.
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Median price sits above Des Moines but below Altoona
Prices start in the low $100,000s and go up to the mid $600,000. The neighborhood's median price in the low $300,000s is:
Higher than Des Moines’ median in the low $200,000s.
Lower than Altoona’s median in the mid $300,000s.
On par with Pleasant Hill’s median in the low $300,000s.
Townhouses in the southern section of Capitol Heights range from the mid $100,000s to the low $300,000s. On the higher end of the price spectrum, most townhouses were built as recently as 2025. Homes stay on the market for about 87 days, which is higher than the national average of 53 days.
Students attend schools in two districts with choice options
The Capitol Heights neighborhood is divided between Des Moines Independent Community School District and the highly rated Southeast Polk Community School District. Both districts offer enrollment courses through Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) for high school students. Families can request that their children attend other schools within their assigned district or transfer to another school district within the state if space is available, per Iowa law. Carrie Romo, principal of Goodrell Middle School and an 11-year veteran of Des Moines public schools, says, “We offer Iowa Jobs for American Graduates. It’s a program that starts in middle school, continues into high school, and prepares students for post-secondary options.”
Delaware Elementary proudly places their mascot at the front of their campus.
Delaware Elementary School's playground gives students ample space to play.
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Generations of families help foster a close-knit atmosphere
“There are generations of people living here,” says David Harper, Director of the Eastview Community Center, who has lived in Des Moines for over 30 years. “Two of our kids still live here and raise their families here.” Living on the outskirts of the big city gives residents a quiet, suburban atmosphere with easy access to downtown. But East Des Moines has its own culture. The Southeast Polk Community Church started Eastview Community Center. “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 for residents to join.
Hubbell Avenue connects residents to downtown and beyond
Veatch says Capitol Heights’ location is a big draw to the area. “It’s close to Altoona, not too far from Pleasant Hill and close to Des Moines, of course,” she says. “So, for someone working and commuting, you can jump on Hubbell [Avenue] and get to Ankeny really quick, too.”
Hubbell Avenue, also known as U.S. Route 6, cuts through the middle of the neighborhood, providing a straightforward route into Downtown Des Moines. It also connects to Interstates 80 and 235. “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. Most residents drive since there is limited walkability, but there are Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority bus routes throughout the city.
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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Capitol Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Capitol Heights, Des Moines sell after 80 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Capitol Heights, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $314,990, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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