North of Grand
Historic Neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa
Polk County 50312
Neighborhood Reviews
Diverse historical homes
Arranged neatly in a grid of manicured lawns and sidewalk-lined streets, the well-maintained homes of the area offer a simple elegance without being ostentatious or snooty. Indeed, its accessibility is one of the factors that has made it so popular with potential homeowners. “The area’s known for historic homes with charm, but there are a lot of price points,” says Van Walbeek. “You can have a smaller, classic bungalow, or you can have a huge mansion.” Mature oaks offer summertime shade, and driveways keep the clutter of street parking to a minimum, providing a secluded atmosphere. Most single-family homes in the area were built between 1910 and 1940, and their styles reflect this, including bungalows, Arts and Crafts, Craftsman and Tudor homes. Prices begin in the low $100,000s for smaller homes and those needing restoration. Renovated historic buildings can reach mid-$200,000s while more extensive and elaborate houses peak in the low $400,000s. Estates with sprawling lawns occasionally become available, ranging from the low $800,000s to $1 million.Creativity at the Des Moines Art Center
Built in the 1920s for cosmetics tycoon Carl Weeks, Salisbury House and Gardens is now a historic site open to tours and countless local events. With 11 acres of gardens and woodland, the estate features details crafted from 16th-century English oak and numerous antiques and works of art. Located in neighboring Linden Heights, the Des Moines Art Center collects modern and contemporary art from all over the world in various permanent collections and traveling exhibitions.Generational education at Greenwood Elementary
Iowa public schools offer an open enrollment policy, allowing students to attend any school they see fit, regardless of their district. A student could begin their education at Greenwood Elementary School, which scores a C-plus on Niche and is the oldest operating school building in the district, having taken its first classroom of children in 1901. “Many of our students are generational,” says principal Jenny Inman, who’s worked as a teacher and administrator in the area for over 18 years. “Many of their parents and grandparents came here, so we’re very close-knit with the families.” From there, they can attend Callanan Middle School, which scores a C-minus, before enrolling at Roosevelt High School, which has a B and specializes in the fine arts, offering courses in theatre, painting and more.Live music at the 80/35 Festival
Celebrated every summer since 2004, Ingersoll Live is a family-friendly block party replete with local vendors, food, live music, and even street dancing. The 80/35 Festival features a multi-performer lineup of artists like Killer Mike and OK Go at the Water Works Park south of the Linden Heights Historic District. For a quieter event, locals head to Salisbury House and Gardens every year for a chance to see the Iowa Stage Theatre Company perform the works of the Bard during Shakespeare on the Lawn.Take the DART downtown
Bordered on the north and south by Interstate 235 and Grand Avenue, respectively, the neighborhood provides a straight shot to downtown Des Moines, located 2.5 miles east. Sidewalks and bike lanes on Ingersoll Avenue and Crocker Street provide pedestrians with safe alternatives to auto travel. At the same time, the Des Moines Area Region Transit Authority (DART) offers bus lines all over the city at $1.75 a fare. For trips further afield, the Des Moines International Airport can be found 6 miles south in the neighboring community of Southwestern Hills.Shopping on Ingersoll Ave
Sporting a seasonal menu and extensive wine list, Oak Park offers a distinctly American fine dining experience set in a Prairie-style space reminiscent of the architectural work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Anyone who would prefer capicola to caviar need only visit Hansen’s Manhattan Deli, where they’ve been serving up a selection of sandwiches, soups and more in a classic diner atmosphere since 1982. Some of the most popular shopping in Des Moines can be found along Ingersoll Avenue, where locals can find everything from fast food to Walgreens and Price Chopper groceries.
Written By
Phil Keeling
Photography Contributed By
Dylan Stowell
Video By
Elia Faith Crianza
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Kris Mehmen
Kris Mehmen
RE/MAX Precision
(515) 400-4689
83 Total Sales
2 in North of Grand
$125K - $170K Price Range
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Darson Grantham
Darson Grantham
Keller Williams Realty GDM
(641) 247-4098
200 Total Sales
2 in North of Grand
$203K - $260K Price Range
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Joanne May
Joanne May
RE/MAX Revolution
(515) 461-6816
218 Total Sales
1 in North of Grand
$193,000 Price
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Chris Kew
Chris Kew
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX Precision
(515) 500-2960
250 Total Sales
1 in North of Grand
$224,400 Price
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Jason Rude
Jason Rude
RE/MAX Precision
(515) 400-4122
376 Total Sales
2 in North of Grand
$193K - $310K Price Range
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Alisha Stewart
Alisha Stewart
Responds QuicklyGoldfinch Realty Group
(515) 414-8030
97 Total Sales
1 in North of Grand
$240,000 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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Greenwood - Ashworth Park
- Bike Trails
- Grills
- Lake
Witmer Park
- Bike Trails
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
McCollum-Waveland Tennis Complex
- Picnic Area
- Tennis
- Pickleball
Chamberlain Park
- Picnic Area
- Playground
Arie Den Boer Arboretum
- Bike Trails
- Trails
Drake Park
- Basketball
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Transit
Reviews
Niche Reviews
3/31/2016
Niche Review
Living in central Des Moines was a great opportunity for me. It will always be home no matter where "home" ends up changing to over the years. The atmosphere is wonderful. I live close to Downtown Des Moines, where there is always something going on. Also, I live not too far from the beautiful Gray's Lake and Water Works Park which are major attractions for walking. It has beautiful landscape.
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Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | North of Grand | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
North of Grand Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in North of Grand, Des Moines sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in North of Grand, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $235,250, up 20% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$242,450
Median Sale Price
$235,250
Median Single Family Sale Price
$230,900
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$237,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
40
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
20%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$202
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
802
Number of Homes for Sale
9
Median Year Built
1916
Months of Supply
2.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,391
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,153
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
2,026
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,840
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
$756 - $1,172 per month
- Imperial Grand Prix
- Studio-2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 420+ Sq Ft
- 3407 Grand Ave
- Des Moines, IA
-
$625 - $800 per month
- Ingersoll Park Studios
- Studio-1 Bed
- 1 Bath
- 306+ Sq Ft
- 3323 Ingersoll Ave
- Des Moines, IA
-
$725 - $1,175 per month
- Windsor Terrace Apartments
- Studio-2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 460+ Sq Ft
- 3333 Grand Ave
- Des Moines, IA
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
2,840
Median Age
40
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$48,383
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$66,532
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.9%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
47.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21.4%
% Population in Labor Force
62.6%
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
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
74
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
34
/ 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
Greenwood
Des Moines' original Billionaires' Row neighborhood with historic mansions
Ingersoll Park
Quiet streets and lively neighborhood block parties near Downtown Des Moines.
Salisbury Oaks
Peaceful suburban enclave with stately historic homes in Des Moines
Woodland Heights
Historic urban neighborhood with a bustling arts and entertainment district
Drake
College town about 3 miles outside of Downtown Des Moines
Haines Park
Historic estates by the Governor's Mansion at Terrace Hill
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