Grimes offers suburban living close to Des Moines attractions
Just outside of West Des Moines, Grimes is a small city in Polk County that’s rapidly growing. The sought-after community has many new housing developments, highly rated schools and an array of city parks and sports complexes. Grimes is conveniently located near highways and the greater Des Moines metro area. Major employers, such as Amazon, have also contributed to Grime’s expansion.
Grimes is the quintessential fusion between classic small town and rapidly growing suburb.
Brand new homes are popping up on the edges of Grimes.
1/2
Cost of housing in Grimes
“We are seeing very consistent growth over the homes in Grimes; the houses are in high demand, and there are no dips in prices,” adds Matt Fuelberth, a Realtor with Iowa Realty who services the greater Des Moines area. Grimes has a mixture of traditional Cape Cods, Craftsman and ranch-style homes, and some new constructions such as contemporary and New Traditional styles with stucco or moonstone exteriors.
Single-family houses under 3,000 square feet range from the high $100,000s to the high $800,000s. Larger houses start in the high $800,000s and go all the way up to over $2.5 million. The median price of single-family homes is lower than both Johnston and Waukee. Townhouses sell for between the low $100,000s and the low $400,000.
Grimes is home to some quaint brick bungalows around the center of town.
Many of these homes were built 15-20 years ago.
Contemporary styles and three-car garages are commonplace in new construction homes.
1/3
A growing community with more amenities
“The city has done a lot of infrastructure development, and it is very well-planned,“ says Ryan Rohlf, chief client advocate and Realtor at Keller Williams Legacy Group. “The old town portion of Grimes has a small Main Street, and the newer area has more entertainment sections.”
Deb Miller, a Realtor with Iowa Realty who sells in the area, says, “I always called [Grimes] a sleepy little farm type community, although it’s changing rapidly,” she says. “They’ve got a lot of new commercial [areas coming in], like a big new grocery store, Walmart and a Menards they built there. It’s definitely growing quickly.”
Grimes residents have several grocery store options, including ALDI.
A plush dining room and coffee shop draws Grimes residents to enjoy a drink by the fire.
Menards is a longtime staple in Iowa, featuring helpful and knowledgeable employees.
1/3
Options for public schools
The Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District has highly rated schools with around 3,500 students. It has a 97% graduation rate and offers 13 different career academy programs in collaboration with Des Moines Area Community College. Families can apply to enroll their students in other school districts through the Iowa Open Enrollment Law. Homes on the east side of Iowa Highway 141 may be zoned for the Johnston Community School District, which has highly rated schools.
Heritage Elementary has modern facilities to improve the quality of life in Grimes.
North Ridge Elementary in Grimes offers the students seating while they wait to be picked up.
Grimes' South Prairie Elementary School has benches for students needing a break outside.
1/3
Grimes and the Des Moines Metro area
Grimes is mostly a car-dependent city, and residents typically get around by car. Interstate 35 leads into Minneapolis, and Interstate 80 provides access to Chicago. The city council of Grimes has decided to withdraw from the Des Moines Area Regional Transit service because only a limited number of people utilize the public transit system. For those needing assistance with transportation, Grimes Volunteer Support Services has over 70 volunteers who can provide rides for appointments and other needs.
UnityPoint Health - Methodist West Hospital is nearby in West Des Moines, and the Des Moines International Airport is approximately 20 miles away via Interstate 35. “It was just a little farm town for years, but it’s so close to the rest of the metro area that it’s become a suburb too,” Miller says.
City of Grimes Parks and Recreation
With 10 parks and three sports complexes, there are plenty of opportunities for enjoying the outdoors.
Waterworks Park has playgrounds, ball diamonds and picnic tables.
Glenstone Trail can be accessed at Glenstone Park.
The 45-acre Grimes South Sports Complex is home to a skate park, sports fields and courts.
GrimesPlex and Grimes North Sports Complex offer similar amenities. Golfers can book a tee time at the Beaver Creek Golf Club or the Tournament Club of Iowa. Nearby camping sites include Acorn Valley, Prairie Flower, and Big Shelter campgrounds. Water activities such as fishing, boating and swimming can be explored at Saylorville Lake. Grimes Sky Zone is an indoor trampoline park that is popular for birthday parties and family fun.
The Grimes South Sports Complex baseball field lets visitors recreate their favorite Cubs game.
The famous island green can be found on Number 3 on the South course of Beaver Creek.
1/2
Community events and celebrations
Grimes celebrates the autumn season with a fall festival featuring fun activities, such as bounce houses, balloon animals and face painting, along with craft vendors and food trucks. There is also an annual fireworks show on the Fourth of July, and local employer Aquilo Financial Group also sponsors the Grimes Rock Around the Clock Concert Series. Notable events in Des Moines include the Iowa State Fair, the World Food and Music Festival and the 80/35 Music Festival.
Written By
Joyelle Ronan
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Max Gilmore
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Angela Glasgow,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Grimes, IA sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Grimes, IA over the last 12 months is $375,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful ranch in the heart of Grimes! This one-of-a-king home offers 4 bedrooms, 3 bathroom and an impressive list of upgrades! Enjoy peace of mind with a new roof (2020), new water heater (2024), backup sump pump, updated flooring and appliances. This property is loaded with extras, including irrigation, awning, security system, professional landscaping and composite deck perfect for outdoor
Rarely available and better than move-in ready, this stunning 3-bedroom, 3-bath walkout ranch townhome offers over 2,550 sq ft of beautifully finished living space and backs to a serene 4-acre pond. Thoughtfully updated and meticulously maintained, this home features new HVAC, A/C, and water heater (2025), a new roof (2021), a new refrigerator (2025), and a new Trex deck (2024) for worry-free
Presenting the stunning 1.5 story Willow plan by Kimberley Development, situated on a 1.2 acre lot in the exclusive BrookeField Estates development. Offering 6 bedrooms with the primary suite tucked away on the main level, 2 upstairs, and 3 in the daylight lower level. The details speak for themselves with a unique open stairway, an arched entry into the great room, & extensive trimwork
Welcome to Destination 141, a new community nestled in the heart of Grimes, IA. We offer studio - three-bed apartments or enjoy more space with our two and three-bed townhomes with attached garages. You'll love the modern finishes, patios, open floor plans and much more in every home! When you're ready to step outside, enjoy our upscale community amenities including a clubhouse with a 24/7
Redwood(R) Grimes is where youll find the single-story rental apartment you've been looking for. Live in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, pet-friendly home with an attached garage. Come home to an apartment surrounded by charming greenery, with all the amenities of the Grimes community just a stones throw away. With an easy commute to downtown, you can get to the hustle and bustle of Des Moines in
Providence Pointe is a pet-friendly, modern apartment community located in Johnston, Iowa. We are conveniently located just 11 miles northwest of Des Moines, offering a quick commute to local shops, businesses, and restaurants nearby. With space ranging from 628 - 1,503 sq. ft. across a wide array of studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom floor plans, we're sure to have a place you can call home. Residents
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
