Downtown Des Moines
Suburban Neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa
Polk County 50309, 50314
Downtown Des Moines living
“Homes in the area are typically condos or multi-level townhouses in a wide range of price points from $150,000 to $700,000,” Webber says. Most townhomes downtown are Contemporary-style new builds with clean lines, high-contrast exterior color palettes and modern interiors. Condos here can range from industrial chic lofts with exposed brick in fully renovated 1920s-era office buildings, to sunny interiors within 1980s skyrises, to sleek units in multi-building, master-planned condo communities.
/
Indoor and outdoor recreation galore
There are parks aplenty in Downtown Des Moines, including Rotary Riverwalk Park, an accessible playground on the banks of the Des Moines River. The biggest public skatepark in the country, Lauridsen Skatepark, is just a few blocks north. Locals can stroll across the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge — especially beautiful at night when it’s lit up — to visit the pond and pagoda at the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden. Principal Park, home of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, hosts not just baseball games, but concerts and fireworks shows from its spot on the west side of the river. Western Gateway Park, off Grand Avenue farther inland, is an outdoor art museum teeming with sculptures. The Central branch of the Des Moines Public Library is just two blocks east of the Western Gateway’s Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Next door, the Temple for the Performing Arts, a Masonic Temple built in 1913, offers live theatre, office space, eateries and the Des Moines Symphony Academy. Broadway shows often stop at the nearly 3,000-set Des Moines Civic Center, which hosts ballets and concerts, too.
/
Des Moines Public Schools
Many neighborhood students attend Walnut Street School between preschool and fifth grade, Callanan Middle between sixth and eighth and Roosevelt High for ninth through 12th. In 2024, Walnut Street earned a C grade from Niche. Callanan Middle earned a C-minus that same year. Roosevelt’s grand architecture landed it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, but the school is more than its pretty façade. It earned a B-minus from Niche for academics in early 2024 and an A-plus for diversity; students, teachers and staff collectively speak more than 30 languages.Never a dull moment downtown
There’s always something going on downtown, from the IMT Des Moines Marathon every October to the Des Moines Arts Festival each June. Every summer, there’s City Sounds: painted pianos scattered around the neighborhood, played by pros and amateurs alike. The World Food & Music Festival, which takes place at Western Gateway Park, features international cuisine and cooking demonstrations against a background of live music every August. Locals, employees and visitors all enjoy the food trucks and live music that appear on Wednesdays every week from May to June.
/
Convenient city center commuting
In true urban style, with retail, restaurants and employers all close at hand, it’s easy to walk or bike around Downtown Des Moines. The city showcases its Midwestern practicality with a 4-mile web of covered, temperature-controlled skywalks that make walking an option year-round, regardless of weather. Stops along the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) bus line are also close by, positioned at regular intervals. DART Central Station, the system’s primary transfer hub, is on Cherry Street, within a mile of most homes.Retail and restaurants around the corner
Fresh, locally sourced groceries are within easy reach at Gateway Market, off Woodland Avenue on the neighborhood’s west side. On Saturday mornings from May-October, the Downtown Farmers’ Market overtakes Court Avenue from the courthouse to the river, offering everything from seasonal produce to artisan food. When dining out is on the menu, the Historic Court District offers an array of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The city’s first sports bar, Johnny’s Hall of Fame, has been a game-day favorite since the 1960s. Down the street, 300 Craft & Rooftop is popular for its industrial chic atmosphere and rooftop bar, with its striking view of the city skyline.
/
Written By
Shannon Hopkins
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Maurice McNeil
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Joanne May
Joanne May
RE/MAX Revolution
(515) 461-6816
217 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Des Moines
$205K - $265K Price Range
-
Angela Glasgow
Angela Glasgow
Responds QuicklyRealty ONE Group Impact
(515) 461-7972
77 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Des Moines
$286K - $395K Price Range
-
Chris Kew
Chris Kew
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX Precision
(515) 500-2960
250 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Des Moines
$157,900 Price
-
Jason Rude
Jason Rude
RE/MAX Precision
(515) 400-4122
376 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Des Moines
$287,500 Price
-
David Welch
David Welch
RE/MAX Precision
(515) 519-9867
266 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Des Moines
$699,900 Price
-
Ginger Atcheson
Ginger Atcheson
Real Estate Property Solutions, LLC
(515) 400-3340
185 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Des Moines
$356,925 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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Cowles Commons
- Trails
- Events
Rotary Riverwalk Park
- Bike Trails
- Skateboard
- Trails
Western Gateway Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Events
Hansen Triangle Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Multi-Purpose Field
Robert D. Ray Asian Garden
- Trails
- Botanical Gardens
Meredith Trail
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown Des Moines | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 6 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 10 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 7 | 4 |
| Robbery | 9 | 4 |
| Burglary | 10 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 10 | 4 |
| Larceny | 10 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 10 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Des Moines Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines sell after 89 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $260,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$319,900
Median Sale Price
$260,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$275,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$390,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$346,750
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
57
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$248
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
763
Number of Homes for Sale
61
Median Year Built
2005
Months of Supply
12.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,272
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,053
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,358
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
887
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
1,033
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
871
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
-
$1,398 - $2,687 per month
- The Meridian
- Studio-2 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 547+ Sq Ft
- 425 SW 11th St
- Des Moines, IA
-
Condo Buildings
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 Renters
Demographics
Total Population
9,092
Median Age
33
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.9%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$52,509
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$76,899
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.6%
College Graduates
65%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.3%
% Population in Labor Force
81.6%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
14°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
45''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
57
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
78
/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
62
/ 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
Sherman Hill
A storied architectural history in the heart of Des Moines
Capitol Park
Historic downtown neighborhood in the shadows of the state building
Cheatom Park
Historic houses, recreation and healthcare, within a stone’s throw of the city
East Village
Essential Des Moines shopping and dining sector headed by the Iowa State Capital
Greater South Side
Park-like neighborhood with a private golf course and proximity to an airport
Haines Park
Historic estates by the Governor's Mansion at Terrace Hill
Reviews
Are you familiar with the Downtown Des Moines neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Was this page helpful?
