$302,797Average Value$230Average Price per Sq Ft31Homes For Sale
Vibrant, inclusive, Historic East Village
The gilded dome and columns of the Iowa State Capital are visible from virtually any angle in East Village, a food and commerce district across the river from downtown Des Moines. Symbols of the neighborhood’s identity and culture appear in the closer periphery—street murals splashed across the side of local bars, plant-laden condo and apartment windows above West Elm or Zombie Burger, and a public piano leaking rainbows onto the surrounding sidewalk. Flyers for upcoming concerts at Wooly’s and volunteer opportunities are taped to many shop windows, along with Pride Network stickers for participating stores—East Village is the centerpiece of Des Moines’ LGBTQ+ community and hosts Capital City PrideFest each June. The neighborhood began with several square blocks, but as the commercial boom swept through the city, it expanded into the current restaurant, bar and retail hub. This rich past is evident in architecture entries on the National Register of Historic Places, even as new developments arrive year after year.
Locust Street runs from the Des Moines River to the State Capitol Building of Iowa.
Historic architecture & Des Moines flag
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Rooftop restaurants, below-ground bars, and everything in between
Locals share the sidewalk with travelers staying at one of several area hotels and visitors from other Des Moines neighborhoods. T-shirts and trinkets range from punny to irreverent at Raygun, often the first store neighbors reference when talking about the shopping scene in East Village. “Some of the jokes won't make any sense unless you’re from Iowa because they reference the name of some small town,” says Darla Willett-Rohrrsen, Realtor with Iowa Realty who often works with East Village residents and buyers. Towers of greenery and antique items line the walls and shelves at Petals & Moss, one of many small businesses in the roster.
Dozens of restaurants also dot the East Village map, with Zombie Burger + Drink Lab being a local favorite for its American eats and apocalyptic atmosphere. Lucca holds limited lunch and dinner hours in an open concept space with salads and pastas. For a meal with a view, The Republic on Grand sits on the sixth floor of the AC Hotel, pairing craft cocktails with small plates. “I like going there in the winter because they have heaters,” says Madi Andersen, Realtor with NextHome Realty and lifelong Des Moines resident. New Oriental Food Store on Grand Avenue is the only grocer in East Village proper, and many head to the Hy-Vee Grocery Store in downtown Des Moines, 1 mile away.
The booming nightlife and music scene are also big draws for residents in the East Village. Ken’s – a not so secret speakeasy is named after a major Des Moines bootlegger during Prohibition and sits below the Iowa Taproom, a date night or game night location across from several hotels. The downstairs theme continues at Up/Down DSM, where Skee-Ball and other arcade games from the 1980s and ‘90s are only a quarter to play. Pride flags flutter at the entrance to The Blazing Saddle. Iowa’s oldest gay bar has held the same motto since 1983: "Always a double, never a cover." The area is ready for pedestrians when shops open the next day. “First thing in the morning, there's people out in their trucks picking up stuff from the night before,” Willett-Rohrssen says. “And there are baskets of flowers everywhere throughout the town. The city will waters and manages them through the summer and they even have them in the fall and winter.”
Nightingale Cocktail is a local favorite in East Village.
Stop by the Daisy Chain Coffee in the East Village neighborhood.
Grab a drink and a bite to eat at Zombie Burger in East Village.
The Iowa Taproom is known for over 100 beers served from a grain bin bar.
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East Village’s relationship to Iowa government and Downtown Des Moines
Though East Village is close to government buildings, Tour guides at the Iowa State Capital say the proximity has little impact on the neighborhood’s personality. The State Historical Society of Iowa is the last attraction locals see before reaching the capital’s front steps; the building houses a museum recording the development of Des Moines and the entire state. The neighborhood holds a stronger association with its counterpart across the water. “East Village is obviously on the east side of the river, so it does have its specific location, but a lot of times it's blanketly called downtown,” Willett-Rohrssen says. Residents head over pedestrian and vehicle bridges for groceries at Hy-Vee, healthcare from the UnityPoint Health medical system and major employers—as well as dozens of vendors at the Downtown Farmers Market from May to October.
Spend the day at The People's Plaza in East Village.
Zombie Burger has a wide variety of delicious meals in East Village.
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Apartments, condos above storefronts, and luxury townhouses in East Village
East Village has a 75% renter population, though some of the private and mixed-use buildings are condo communities. Prices range from $170,000 to $300,000, and complexes typically feature amenities like pools and gyms. The northwest end of East Village is built up with sleek townhouse communities like The Bridge District and The Banks. Options ranging from $530,000 to $875,000 often include rooftop balconies, private parking enforcement and designated pet areas. Directly south of the commercial district are bungalows and ranch-style homes either renovated or completely rebuilt. These typically sell for $190,000 to $300,000, while remaining buildable lots range from $85,000 to $145,000. Higher elevation lends itself to less flood risk on the east side of the Des Moines River thanks to a levee and other flood control measures.
Luxury apartments available in East Village.
Many townhomes have grassy area and walking paths in East Village.
East Village homes
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Iowa monuments, the Des Moines Riverwalk and beyond
The grass surrounding the Iowa State Capital is dotted with memorials and historic landmarks, like the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the Shattering Silence Memorial. Pete Crivaro Park to the south has a splash pad, a disc golf course, basketball courts and picnic tables. Other activities in the area include ice skating at Brenton Skating Plaza, open November through March, and rock climbing at Climb Iowa – East Village.
Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens celebrates Asian American heritage in Iowa with stone pagodas and rock formations that accent a brightly colored pavilion on the Des Moines River waterfront. Next door is the glow-in-the-dark Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge, part of the city’s Principal Riverwalk. The bridge leads right to Lauridsen Skatepark, the largest open skate park in the country and a popular spot for teenagers and families on an evening walk. The domed Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a few blocks north, open year-round. “Iowans can go in in the middle of winter and be near a cactus,” Willett-Rohrssen says.
Walk through the Bridge District in East Village.
Robert. D. Ray Asian Garden features a beautiful design pavilion in East Village.
Pete Crivaro Park features a splash pad and picnic tables in East Village.
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Gearing up for Capital City PrideFest or a night out at Wooly’s
East Village hosts Capital City PrideFest, a three-day celebration with guest performances, vendor booths and zones for family, youth and pets. Starting in late November, the neighborhood hosts an annual Holiday Promenade. Produced partly by the Historic East Village Neighborhood Association, this event builds anticipation for the season through themed activities, entertainment and an inaugural tree lighting. Admission to the Santa Run 5k comes with a Santa suit, effectively flooding the streets with jolly men and women in red. The rest of the year, residents can expect to hear cheering fans during concerts at Wooly's, a 683-capacity local haunt.
Des Moines public schools near East Village
East Village students are zoned for Des Moines Independent Community School District options like Carver Elementary School and Hiatt Middle School, which both rate a C-minus on Niche. East High School—the oldest high school in Des Moines—scores a C. In 2006, a $22.6 million renovation added a performing arts wing and replaced essential areas like the gym and cafeteria. Most district schools also offer access to the Metro Kids Care after-school program. Private schools near East Village include Holy Family Catholic School for pre-K through eighth grade. Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines scores an A from Niche. High school students can take dual-enrollment courses or earn their associate’s degree at Des Moines Area Community College, known locally as DMACC. Online students are based out of the Urban campus downtown, the closest of six campuses to East Village.
Carver Elementary School serves students in grades K-5.
East Village students in grades 6-8 attend Hiatt Middle School.
Des Moines East High School is just north of East Village along I-235.
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Getting around East Village and Downtown Des Moines
East Village is just half a mile to a mile from downtown employers. "We're just not that big,” Willett-Rohrssen says. “Really, 8 to 20 minutes can get you to almost all the places you need to go. It's nice to have your things close.” Interstate 235 runs directly north of the community and connects to other major highways in the “Urban Loop” around the city. The free D-Line Downtown Shuttle runs every 15 minutes from downtown to East Village, and the neighborhood is serviced by Routes 1 and 4 of the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, locally known as DART.
Des Moines’ walking and biking culture prevails in East Village. Pedestrians head over footbridges and mixed-use bridges spanning the river, and designated bike lanes trace major roads with connections to the wider Central Iowa trail system. There are also three B-Cycle bike share stations in the neighborhood. For air travel, Des Moines International Airport is less than 7 miles away. Construction on a brand-new, $445 million-dollar terminal is scheduled for partial completion in 2026.
Spectacular views of East Village.
Locust Street runs from the Des Moines River to the State Capitol Building of Iowa.
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
Jason Rude,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
The People's Plaza
Picnic Area
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Pete Crivaro Park
Basketball
Bike Trails
Disc Golf
Robert D. Ray Asian Garden
Trails
Botanical Gardens
Cohen Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Whitmer Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Brenton Skating Plaza
Transit
Airport
Des Moines International
13 min drive
Bus
E Walnut St & E 1st St, Dsm
Bus
E Locust St & E 4th St, Dsm
Bus
E Grand Ave & E 9th St, Dsm
Bus
E Grand Ave & Pennsylvania Ave (Far-Side), Dsm
Bus
E Walnut St & E 5th St, Dsm
Bus
E 6th St & Lyon St (Far-Side), Dsm
Bus
E Grand Ave & State Capitol, Dsm
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
East Village
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
9
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
9
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
9
4
Larceny
9
4
Crime Score
9
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
East Village Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in East Village, Des Moines sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in East Village, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $225,000, down 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Capitol Village Lofts located in the heart of Historic East Village offers all the charm of true urban living. Capitol Village Lofts is a mixed-use building that houses retail/commercial space on the first floor with 20 residential lofts between the second and third floor. It's a true bouquet Loft building.This loft has 12-foot ceilings, Five windows from floor to ceiling, exposed brick and wood
You must see this completely renovated SOHO loft in the heart of the historic East Village. The open plan affords 10' high ceilings, large windows, contemporary lighting and cabinets and a huge center island. The home features 2 primary BR with en suite baths. The current owner has added a new primary bathroom sink, faucet, toilet, cabinet, mirror & light. Fireplace with heat blower installed &
Welcome to your new home, a new construction open plan modern ranch, that will bring life to any family making it their own. With construction scheduled to be finished in 2025, you could be the first owner of this beautiful six bedroom home.
Welcome to Rowat Lofts, Des Moines' premier apartment community! Nestled in the vibrant East Village neighborhood, you'll find yourself just steps away from upscale restaurants and charming boutique shops. Our luxury apartments in Des Moines are designed to be the ideal home for professionals, students, families, seniors, and everyone in between. Come explore all that Rowat Lofts has to
Located in the historic East Village, The Lyon is a modern community with finishes that speaks for itself; warm woods mixed with quartz countertops, stainless appliances and premium flooring. These finishes coupled with unparalleled views, create an atmosphere that perfectly suits any lifestyle. Enjoy the Lyon’s advantageous location adjacent to downtown and freeway access. The Lyon is
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jason Rude,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,336
Median Age
32
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
7.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$44,717
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$67,090
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
83.3%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
30%
Advanced Degrees
10.9%
% Population in Labor Force
73.7%
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®
60/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
64/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
46/ 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.
