$345,113Average Value$533Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
A hidden neighborhood on the west side
Hidden in Iowa City’s west side between U.S. Highway 218 and The University of Iowa is the modest community of Bryn Mawr Heights. Less busy than campus and downtown, yet not as removed as the city’s outermost suburbs, the neighborhood strikes a unique balance between domestic solitude and urban walkability. Sidewalk-accessible amenities nearby include a well-rated elementary school, two spacious parks and an ice cream stand that’s been a local favorite for over 60 years. Iowa City’s only mosque is right across the street. Meanwhile, most city employers are within a 2-mile drive, and Highway 1 is mere feet away.
Bryn Mawr Heights is an established residential neighborhood on Iowa City's west side.
Bryn Mawr Heights residents enjoy the shady sidewalks for strolls around the neighborhood.
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Classic late-1900s homes throughout
Bryn Mawr Heights is a relatively small, tree-covered neighborhood with fewer than 200 single-family homes. These average-sized abodes are arranged along a cluster of loosely gridded, sidewalk-lined roadways immediately south of the small city of University Heights. Most properties were built in the late 1900s, and their exteriors feature brick, vinyl siding, wood planks and other popular materials of that period. Split-level, bi-level, ranch-style and Colonial Revival designs are common. Cape Cods from before the 1950s appear occasionally. Lots hover around ¼ acre and often feature wood or chain-link fences. The average homebuyer will spend about $340,000 — slightly over the local average but well below the national norm. Prices range from the mid-$200,000s for a 1,100-square-foot home to the low $600,000s for a house nearing 4,000 square feet.
Many of Bryn Mawr Heights homes are split-levels.
Larger two-story homes give Bryn Mawr Heights residents a larger option for housing.
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Across the street from Horn Elementary
Ernest Horn Elementary School lies immediately north of Bryn Mawr Heights across Benton Street, within walking distance of many residences. Just over 400 students attend prekindergarten through sixth grade at Horn. They then progress to Northwest Junior High — about 3 miles from the neighborhood — for grades seven and eight. Both of these schools earn B grades overall from Niche. West High School accommodates the neighborhood’s older teens less than 1 mile west. Niche gives it an A-plus and calls it Iowa’s best public high school. It partners with the University of Iowa to offer engineering programs for STEM-minded students. Other learning academies are available through a collaboration with Kirkwood Community College.
Horn Elementary is one of several Iowa City elementary schools.
Northwest Junior High is one of three public middle schools in Iowa City.
The large campus of West High encompasses everything the school needs.
The University of Iowa campus is just minutes from Bryn Mawr Heights.
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Just a few turns from the university
The University of Iowa employs thousands of Iowa City locals and is within minutes of Bryn Mawr Heights. Sunset Street runs alongside the neighborhood to the east, taking drivers a few blocks north to Melrose Avenue. From there, the campus is less than ½ mile east. Commuters have only two or three extra turns until they reach the Hawkeyes’ home football stadium, the university’s medical campus or other facilities. Downtown Iowa City is just across the river to the east of campus. Benton and Sunset streets also feature a few Iowa City Transit bus stops, offering fare-free rides throughout the day.
A "beloved" ice cream stand since 1960
Sidewalks also carry residents just south of the neighborhood to Dane’s Dairy, which has served sweet treats since 1960. Pedestrians and drivers from throughout the area frequently flock to this classic ice cream stand, including Bryn Mawr Heights residents whose dogs enjoy Dane’s pup cups. Lines are often long, but waiting for a Dane’s treat is part of the experience. “There are a lot of animal statues around that kids can ride on; a lot of parents take pictures with them. There are always high schoolers working here. So, it has a youthful vibe, but it’s very beloved by older generations,” says Manager Amy Crespo. “They knew the Dane family and have been coming since they were young.” Casey’s, a Midwest pizzeria and convenience store chain, operates a location next door. Highway 1 runs just east of the neighborhood, quickly taking drivers to Walmart Supercenter for groceries and day-to-day goods. Foodstuffs are also available at Fareway Meat and Grocery, just west down Benton Street.
An Iowa City staple, Dane's Dairy is an ice cream hot spot.
Walmart is easily accessible along Hwy 1 for groceries and home goods.
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Forty acres of parkland to the west
Two popular public parks are less than ¼ mile west of Bryn Mawr Heights, just down the sidewalk for some. Willow Creek Park and Kiwanis Park combine to cover over 40 acres and are connected by Willow Creek, a wooded waterway intertwined with a mixed-use trail. Visitors to Willow Creek Park can play baseball, take their kids to the rubber-surfaced playground and enjoy a restful moment in the park’s Hospice Memorial Garden. “There are volunteers with the local hospice who are master gardeners as well, and they help take care of that garden space,” says Iowa City Parks and Recreation Superintendent of Parks & Forestry Tyler Baird. “It’s a nice contemplation-type space.” To the south, Kiwanis Park features a playground where slides, tunnels, sandboxes, hammock swings and bridges are incorporated into the natural landscape. Locals also rent raised garden beds in the garden’s southern section. “In the summer, there are always people out there tending to their garden plots,” Baird says.
Kiwanis Park contains trails, a playground, and ample green space.
Bryn Mawr Heights can walk to Willow Creek Park to play on the playground or have a picnic.
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Noisier near the major roads
Noise levels are mild to moderate for the neighborhood’s innermost residents. Those along Benton and Sunset streets will experience higher noise pollution. Activity levels peak in the southeast section, where Sunset Street nears Highway 1.
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
Matthew Lepic,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
The Eastern Iowa
33 min drive
Bus
Sunset St & Denbigh Dr
Bus
Benton St & Denbigh Dr
Bryn Mawr Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bryn Mawr Heights, Iowa City sell after 7 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Bryn Mawr Heights, Iowa City over the last 12 months is $1,438,000.
Totally remodeled 4-bedroom, 3-bath split foyer with thoughtful updates throughout! Step inside to find LVP flooring throughout the entire home (2025) and fresh paint on all walls, trim, and baseboards. Each of the 3 bathrooms features custom tile, new floating vanities, and updated toilets (2025). The kitchen shines with a subway tile backsplash, refinished cabinets, and new hardware. All
Exceptional updated 5 bed/3 bath ranch home w/walkout lower level situated on over 1/3 acre park like setting close to Kinnick, UIHC, I-380 & bus line. Updates include new windows, kitchen patio door, quartz countertops & sink, kitchen backsplash, microwave, disposal, updated main bath, master bath & lower level bath, all new flooring throughout, many new interior & exterior light fixtures, new
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Matthew Lepic,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
433
Median Age
41
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$121,428
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$145,753
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.7%
College Graduates
60.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
34.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.3%
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
57/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
37/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
33/ 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.
