$165,571Average Value$131Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Historical community with nearby amenities
The historic community of Capitol Park is one of Des Moines' oldest neighborhoods. The Des Moines River flows through the heart of Capitol Park, and the pedestrian bridges of the John Pat Dorrian Trail provide walkable access to the rest of the greater Des Moines downtown area. The streets in Capitol Park are lined with mature walnut, sugar maple and white ash trees, casting shadows over the sidewalks and the cars parked along the wide two-way streets. Semi-paved alleys between most houses provide off-street access to alley-facing garages, covered carports and backyard vegetable gardens. "We're an overlooked gem," says Dena Bennett, chair of the Capitol City Neighborhood Association and 10-year resident. "People move here because of the affordability, diversity and proximity to downtown and East Village."
The proximity of Capitol Park to Downtown Des Moines makes it very soughtafter.
Art installations near the Botanical Gardens greet joggers and bikers on the riverfront trail.
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Historic homes, modern amenities
The oldest homes were built in the late 1800s, and architectural styles, like Prairie and Craftsman, reflect the era. Listing prices run between $68,000 and $311,000. Some of the larger homes have been converted into multi-family dwellings, creating a housing market in which properties sell for roughly $50,000 less than the surrounding neighborhoods. "There's a little bit of everything for every budget," Bennett says. Most residents park in driveways, and lots are around 1/8 acre, suitable for a sitting area.
Large Foursquare homes are a popular style in Capitol Park.
Colorful Craftsman homes can be found in quiet corners of Capitol Park.
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Locals can visit the rocket slide
One of the area's most renowned destinations is the rocket slide at nearby Union Park. Constructed in the early 70s, at the height of the space craze, the rocket slide is the last remaining vestige of Astro City. This space-age amusement park quickly became infamous for its high-speed stainless-steel slide, steep stairs, low clearances, sharp edges and general non-compliance with contemporary safety codes. In early 2024, the Des Moines City Council approved a half-million-dollar project to rejuvenate the 52-year-old beloved relic. In addition to the slide, the walkable Union Park has playgrounds, tennis courts, open-air pavilions, sports fields, splash pools and the Heritage Carousel. Capitol Park is a rare downtown community where green spaces dominate the landscape. On the community's southern edge, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden features indoor and outdoor gardens, a tropical conservatory, educational programs and art shows, all at no cost to residents. Local pups love the Riverwalk Dog Park, and kids spend summer afternoons running through the fountains at Burke Memorial Park. The neighborhood also provides indoor entertainment options. The Iowa State Capitol Building is open for tours on rainy days, and Wooly's concert venue regularly books national acts for weekend performances.
The historic Rocket Slide in Union Park in Capitol Park is the last remaining element of Des Moines' Astro City which debuted more than 50 years ago
Nearby Union Park has modern playgrounds and plenty of open green space.
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in Capitol Park allows residents to experience a variety of exotic flora year round
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Dining in historic building
Locals can do their grocery shopping at C Fresh in nearby Cheatom Park. One of Bennett's favorite restaurants is Thai Flavors. Other popular eateries include Scooter's Coffee for their signature drinks and Teriyaki House for their sushi rolls. The pool tables at The Fremont – a cash-only dive bar with live music – are popular on weekends. For a quiet evening at a historic locale, the rustic Iowa Taproom is housed inside a 142-year-old building. East Village, a 2.5-mile drive on Interstate 235, is a vibrant and diverse district offering a variety of options for nightlife, dining and shopping.
Thai Flavors' original location is proud to call Capitol Park home.
The Fremont is Capitol Park's favorite local watering hole.
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High school offers AP classes
Capitol Park is served by three school districts — Des Moines Independent Community, Cedar Rapids Community and Dubuque Community — depending on a given address, and all offer open enrollment. Students can walk to and start their education at Carver Elementary School, which has an overall B-plus rating from Niche. Hiatt Middle School has a C-minus score. East High School, with a C grade, offers specialized programs such as Advanced Placement and SUCCESS.
The George Washington Carver Community School serves Capitol Park and surrounding communities with an excellent 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio
Hiatt Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 in Martin Luther King Jr Park.
The newer entrance of East High School emulates the columns of Capitol Park, IA.
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Major destinations just a short drive
Living in Capitol Park comes with the added benefit of easy commuting. The neighborhood is on a Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DARTA) bus route, making public transportation simple for residents. The neighborhood is also conveniently close to I-235 for those who prefer to drive. Des Moines International Airport is just a short 7-mile drive away via back roads.
Easy access to 14th St and I-235 make getting around the Des Moines Metro easy.
Capitol Park features a beautiful bike trail along the Des Moines River.
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Some crime in the area
It's important to note that the CAP Index in Capitol Park is 6/10, indicating moderate crime. The Violence Interruption Project (VIP) is an initiative approved by the Des Moines City Council in 2021 to address gun violence affecting at-risk youth.
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 Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Capitol Park, Des Moines sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Capitol Park, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $176,000, up 22% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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