Downtown Des Moines combines small-town charm with big-city convenience in a way only an Iowan neighborhood can. A trace of the city’s origins stands just west of the Des Moines River, in the form of a small Midland Traditional-style cabin with a weathered shingle roof. This marks the site where Fort Des Moines No. 2 sprang up in the mid-1840s. Today, it overlooks the bustling city center from between the river and Principal Park, home of Des Moines’s minor-league baseball team. The area has grown from a military outpost in the 1800s to a vibrant district known for its arts and food scene, as well as its outdoor recreation options. But for those who live here, Downtown Des Moines is as much about the small joys of everyday life as it is about catching Broadway shows at the Des Moines Civic Center or bar hopping through the Historic Court District. “Residents enjoy getting out for evening walks with their dogs along the Riverwalk, and on Saturday mornings you can pick up locally grown food at the Farmers’ Market,” says eXp Realty Iowa’s Corah Webber, a Realtor with going on five years of local experience.
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.
There are tons of new construction townhomes and condos in Downtown Des Moines.
The inventory of downtown Des Moines apartments is extensive.
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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.
Ancient forests and Juno sculptures in downtown Des Moines.
Rotary Riverwalk Park is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
Lauridsen Skate Park, the nation's largest, is Des Moines' newest standout attraction.
Lauridsen Skate Park is a well-liked spot in Downtown Des Moines.
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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.
Visit Johnny's Hall of Fame and dine in Downtown Des Moines.
Rooftop bars abound in downtown Des Moines.
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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.
Overview of the downtown Des Moines local farmers' market.
The farmers' market is a popular spot to spend a Saturday morning in Downtown Des Moines.
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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.
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.
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
Urban Loft Living at its Finest: 1227 Sq/Ft in the Historic Brown Camp Lofts (Tones Spice Bldg.) Experience the vibrant heart of the social district in this stunning street-level loft at the prestigious Brown Camp Lofts, housed within the iconic Tones Spice Building. This unique residence offers the perfect blend of industrial charm and modern comfort, boasting a private street entrance with a
Welcome to your downtown escape! This stylish 1-bed, 2-bath condo has it all—sleek appliances, a dreamy master suite with large windows, double closets, and a spacious en-suite bath. Step right out your private entrance into a serene courtyard oasis, offering a peaceful retreat while being just moments from the excitement of downtown. Whether you’re walking to major employers on a sunny day or
Move-in ready urban living at 111 City Lofts! Ideally located on 10th Street near West End Architectural Salvage, Bubba’s, Malo, Akebono, and Centro — plus just a short walk to the Temple for the Performing Arts, Gateway Park, the library. Enjoy easy access to walking trails and Gray’s Lake Recreation Area, blending downtown convenience with outdoor relaxation. Inside, you’ll love the soaring
Experience downtown living at Whiteline Lofts! This stylish condo offers a spacious living room with floor to ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light and show off views of the city skyline. The kitchen is both functional and modern, featuring ample cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a convenient breakfast bar. You'll love the generously sized bedroom,
EXPLORE OUR BRAND NEW WALK-UP APARTMENT HOMES!We are excited to announce that the construction of 18 brand-new walk-up apartment homes is nearing completion, and pre-leasing has commenced! These new homes will begin to be available May 1st, 2025, and offer direct access and today’s top-of-the-line modern finishes.With quick access to popular downtown amenities like Gray’s Lake,
The Meridian is now open and accepting applications. Nestled in the Gray's Landing neighborhood, our meticulously crafted community is tailored to elevate your lifestyle with the ideal canvas for your urban oasis. Experience a synthesis of downtown energy and connection, while enjoying the tranquility of the Gray's Landing landscape. The Meridian presents an expansive array of flexible living
Historic charm meets modern loft-living in the heart of vibrant downtown Des Moines. Formerly home to The Register and Tribune for 95 years, R&T Lofts is now home to 164 high-end studio, 1 & 2 bedroom lofts and townhomes. R&T maintains iconic details of the newspaper hub with modern amenities across the 15 story tower. Take a look around and discover all this thriving community has to offer.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ginger Atcheson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
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.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
