$168,568Average Value$179Average Price per Sq Ft9Homes For Sale
Convenience and natural beauty
McKinley School, sometimes referred to as Columbus Park, is situated where the Des Moines River meets the Raccoon River to the north. Bracketed between 14th Street and 2nd Street, two major commercial corridors with bridges crossing the Des Moines River, McKinley School provides easy access to the rest of Des Moines and is highly walkable. Called Little Italy on the River, due to the Italian immigrants who originally settled here, the neighborhood offers a blend of affordability, convenience and natural beauty. "This is a quiet, deeply cultured and well-established neighborhood that's just five minutes from downtown," says Michael Madden, a Realtor and builder who has constructed many homes in McKinley School over the years.
The historic neighborhood of McKinley School is just southeast of Downtown Des Moines.
McKinley School is also known as "Little Italy" because of it's cultural history.
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New homes springing up
Houses sit close to the streets, separated by small front yards, well-maintained sidewalks and tree-lined medians. Lot sizes, about 1/8 acre, vary from one block to the next, and backyards are separated by semi-paved alleys, providing off-street access to alley-facing garages and carports. Modest cottages, ranch-style, Colonial revival, and bungalows are the most common architectural types; however, new builds are scattered within the community. "A non-profit organization called Invest DSM has come into the area," Madden says. "They raise grant money to build new homes on open lots and where there are condemned buildings. Then the homes are sold at affordable prices." Houses in the neighborhood sell for between $84,000 and $350,000.
Many modest ranches line the streets of McKinley School.
A few beautiful brick bungalows dot the streets of McKinley School.
A few newer and larger homes can also be found in McKinley School.
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Local staples since the early 1900s
There are several options for grocery shopping. Hy-Vee supermarket is in the nearby Southgate Shopping Center, a 1.6-mile drive via local streets. A community staple since 1922, B&B Grocery, Meat and Deli is a family-owned business that serves what they call "killer sandwiches." "I like to describe this little neighborhood as a place where people know and care for each other," says Joe Brooks, co-owner with his brother, John. The Brooks brothers are the third generation to own the store. On the other side of the neighborhood, Graziano Brothers Italian Grocery Store has been around since 1912, selling wine, cheese, sausages and pre-made Italian meals. The restaurant scene in McKinley School is particularly popular. Madden's favorites include Barrata's Restaurant, a community staple for 50 years specializing in Italian and American cuisine. Angry Goldfish Pub & Eatery offers creative American food and craft beer in a quirky, modern space. "Everyone has to check out Tumea and Sons," says Liz Lashier, the owner/broker at NextHome Your Way, with over 110 closed sales in the area. "It's a family-run Italian restaurant with traditional dishes and old-school service, and they host bocce ball leagues on their patio."
Graziano Brothers is a regional destination for many, but right in McKinley School.
The friendly employees at B&B Grocery are known for great conversation and "killer" sandwiches.
Angry Goldfish is known for their huge burgers and homemade sides.
Tumea & Sons prides itself on old-school, homemade Italian food run by generations of family.
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Parks and hikes
It's easy to find recreational activities in McKinley School. Columbus Park features a playground, splash pad, tennis courts and open-air pavilion. Another popular destination is Pioneer Park, which provides an accessible playground, basketball courts and open shelter. Especially during the summer months, locals like to hike Meredith Trail, a 5.2-mile route that connects downtown Des Moines to Gray's Lake Park.
The basketball court at Columbus Park draws McKinley School residents in for pick-up games.
McKinley School residents have easy access to the Meredith Trail and Downtown Des Moines.
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High school offers AP classes
McKinley School is served by the Des Moines Independent Community School District, which offers open enrollment. Students can start their education at the neighborhood's namesake, McKinley Elementary School, which is walkable for many students, and move on to Weeks Middle School. Both institutions have C-minus grades from Niche. Lincoln High School, a C-rated school, offers Advanced Placement classes.
McKinley Elementary, the namesake of the McKinley School neighborhood features an outstanding student-to-teacher ratio of 11:1
South Park's Weeks Middle School has royal blue and silver as its school colors.
Lincoln High School in Greater South Side prepares its students for college and beyond.
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Three hospitals nearby
McKinley School is fortunate to have several nearby hospitals, including MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Broadlawns Medical Center. The neighborhood is on a Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) bus route, making commuting convenient for residents. With its proximity to Interstate 235, McKinley School has easy access to other parts of the city, including Downtown Des Moines, 1.4 miles on local streets, and Des Moines International Airport, a 4.3-mile drive on back roads.
Some area crime
The neighborhood received a 6 out of 10 on the CAP Index crime scale. 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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On average, homes in McKinley School, Des Moines sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in McKinley School, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $177,500, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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