$166,107Average Value$399Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes 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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Chris Kew,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Pioneer Park
Grills
Picnic Area
Playground
Irving E. Stone Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Trails
Pete Crivaro Park
Basketball
Bike Trails
Disc Golf
Columbus Park
MacRae Park
Fishing
Grills
Picnic Area
Meredith Trail
Transit
Airport
Des Moines International
12 min drive
Bus
Indianola Ave & Dunham Ave, Dsm
Bus
SW 2nd St & Jackson Ave (Far-Side), Dsm
Bus
Indianola Ave & Indianola Rd, Dsm
McKinley School Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in McKinley School, Des Moines sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in McKinley School, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $219,000, down 57% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Comfort and convenience mesh well with location at this recently updated 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home not far from all that Des Moines has to offer. Recent updates include windows, siding, and driveway as well as interior paint & flooring. The fully fenced in backyard with covered patio is a great place to enjoy time with kids & pets in the quiet neighborhood. Ample storage can also be found
Rare opportunity to own a brand-new construction home in the heart of Des Moines with a 10-year tax abatement—offering major long-term savings, so be sure to mention this to your lender. Located in the historic Columbus Park Neighborhood just minutes from downtown, this home blends the charm of an established area with the benefits of new construction. A large covered front porch leads into the
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Des Moines Newest Affordable Housing CommunityWelcome to Union at Rivers Edge Apartments! Located in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa, our affordable housing community offers the perfect combination of style and convenience. Situated just minutes away from Jackson Street Bridge and Iowa Events Center, you'll be able to enjoy the best of city living with everything the area has to offer.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Chris Kew,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,270
Median Age
36
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$46,320
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$52,735
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.9%
College Graduates
26.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
14°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
45''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
68/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
49/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
30/ 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.
