$180,121Average Value$124Average Price per Sq Ft31Homes For Sale
Agricultural roots, art and ambition in Jefferson
Jefferson may be a farming town of 4,000, but it’s earning national recognition for its investment in the arts and strong community spirit. “I enjoy the fact that it’s a small town with a nice, relaxed pace of life,” says Matt Wetrich, a resident, city councilor and executive director of Jefferson Matters, the city’s combined Main Street and chamber of commerce organization. “The kids can ride their bikes to dance practice or walk to a friend’s house, and parents are always looking out for each other.” The 14-story Mahanay Bell Tower, visible for miles, anchors downtown and includes an observation deck overlooking rooftop murals, part of the city’s artistic endeavors. Jefferson was named one of three 2025 Great American Main Street Award winners for its public art installations, festivals and facade improvements. “We wanted to be a national model for rural revitalization, and winning that award leans into that,” Wetrich says.
The public artwork and murals in Jefferson can be found all over town.
Historic and colorful buildings line downtown Jefferson and contain thriving businesses.
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Styles from every era at a lower price than Carroll
The local housing market offers a range of options, with a median price around $150,000, which is lower than Carroll’s median of about $200,000. Homes span several eras and styles, from early 20th-century bungalows and American Foursquares to midcentury ranches and newer builds from the 2000s located beyond the historic center. Fixer-uppers can cost $20,000 to $100,000, but most homes fall between $100,000 and $250,000. Post-2000s homes typically sell for $250,000 to $400,000.
Many of Jefferson's homes are shaded by mature trees.
Newer homes in Jefferson often have four bedrooms or more and three-car garages.
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Public art shapes the town square
The Greene County Courthouse and Mahany Bell Tower anchor the town square. “We’ve got four pedestrian alleyways around the square,” Wetrich says. “One is used as an outdoor space for the local sports bar [Doc’s Stadium], and the other three we’ve renovated as public art spaces, taking unused spaces and making them more inviting through art.” Hy-Vee and Fareway have groceries covered, but Wetrich says the city continues to develop its retail and dining scene. “Retail spaces are tough. Everywhere is struggling because so much shopping is online,” he says. “Shoppers and travelers are very experiential consumers nowadays, so doing something versus just shopping is going to be a big thing for communities of our size.” One business doing just that is RVP~1875, a historical custom furniture store and museum where visitors can shop, take a tour, or learn to build their own piece of 19th century furniture. Still, the downtown area has a handful of eateries, including The Centennial, Breadeaux Pizza and Greene Bean Coffee.
Local festivals feature food, music and neighborhood charm
The annual Belltower Festival brings locals and visitors to the town square for food, vendors, activities and a parade. “The entire community gets engaged, and we know that the second weekend in June, there’ll be 8,000 to 10,000 people downtown. The town basically doubles in size,” Wetrich says. Jefferson also has plenty of art-based events like the Art in the Garden Festival and Porch Fest. “Different homes will host a musician for 45 minutes, and you just pop in somebody’s front yard. The musician plays, you move on to the next house, and you end up downtown for the final act,” Wetrich says.
Career prep at Greene County Community School District
Iowa offers open enrollment, but many students attend schools in town at Greene County Community School District, which receives a C-plus rating from Niche. The district has three schools and an enrollment of about 1,200 students. The high school is home to the Greene County Career Academy, which offers seven career concentrations through a partnership with Iowa Central Community College.
Greene County Middle School is located on the south end of Jefferson.
The campus of Greene County High School and Career Academy was built in 2020.
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Parks, trails and Raccoon River access
“There’s a surprising amount of outdoor things to do here compared to what most folks think,” Wetrich says. “There’s a lot of neat and natural areas to explore, whether it’s hiking, biking or bird watching, which is always surprising for folks, and there’s camping and fishing around here as well.” Jefferson has about a dozen city parks, plus two county parks just south of town. “People float and fish on the Racoon River,” Wetrich says. “We also have the Racoon River Valley Trail and we say it starts here but it goes all the way to downtown Des Moines, about 60 miles, and it’s a great day or weekend ride for anyone into biking.” Entertainment seekers can head to Wild Rose Casino and Hotel.
Russell Park sits just south of downtown Jefferson and has something for everyone.
Wild Rose Casino is a regional draw to Jefferson.
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About an hour from Des Moines
Medical care is available in town at Greene County Medical Center. Jefferson is less than 70 miles from Des Moines and its international airport, or just over an hour by car. Omaha, Nebraska, is about 130 miles away, roughly a two-hour drive. An active rail line runs through town, but the Elm Street overpass helps minimize traffic delays.
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On average, homes in Jefferson, IA sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Jefferson, IA over the last 12 months is $170,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 406 West State Street — a timeless two-story Craftsman bungalow brimming with original character and charm in the heart of Jefferson. Step inside and be greeted by gorgeous original hardwood floors, rich wood trim, coffered ceilings, and a classic wood-burning fireplace that set this home apart from anything built today. The spacious living room flows into a formal dining room, both
49.92 acres, m/l, located 8 miles southeast of Van Meter, Iowa on the west side of Badger Creek Rd. / Tabor Rd.This farm has an estimated 29.12 FSA/Eff. crop acres with a CSR2 of 44.50. There are also 1.16 CRP acres enrolled in a CP-21 CRP contract that pays $313.00 annually and expires on 9/30/26.Great opportunity to build your dream house overlooking a pond with plenty of room
Greene County, Iowa Farmland Available! Peoples Company is pleased to present 146.01 acres m/l of Greene County, Iowa farmland that has been a long-held family heirloom of the Kruse Family. The farmland is located south of Jefferson, Iowa, and just west of Iowa Highway 4 on the east/west gravel road 280th Street. Further, the farm can be found in Section 31 of Grant Township. The farm
Greene County, Iowa Income-Producing Recreational Ground Available! Peoples Company is pleased to present 16.86 acres m/l of recreational land with reliable income and North Raccoon River frontage located southeast of Jefferson, Iowa. This unique property offers a rare opportunity to own an acreage in a beautiful wildlife setting that can be enjoyed for generations to come. Adding to its appeal,
Charming 4 bed, 2 bath home on a spacious tree lined lot! Remodeled main level features LVT flooring, modern kitchen with black stainless steel appliances, tile backsplash, main floor laundry, 2 bedrooms and a fully tiled bath. Character shines through original etched glass and leaded stained glass accents. Enclosed, insultated 4 season porch with mini split HVAC offers great flex spacefor an
Greene County, Iowa Farmland Available! Presenting 146.01 acres m/l of Greene County, Iowa farmland that has been a long-held family heirloom of the Kruse Family. The farmland is located south of Jefferson, Iowa, and just west of Iowa Highway 4 on the east/west gravel road 280th Street. Further, the farm can be found in Section 31 of Grant Township.The farm includes 136.56 FSA NHEL
Greene County, Iowa Timber and Recreational Land Available! We are pleased to present 95.80 acres m/l (to be surveyed) of premier timber and recreational land located southeast of Jefferson, Iowa. Featuring North Raccoon River frontage, Hardin Creek, mature hardwood timber, and Certified Organic cropland acres, this property offers an exceptional combination of hunting, wildlife habitat, income
An exceptionally rare chance to own 20 acres of timbered land in the historic Badger Creek Watershed District. Established in 1961 for land conservation, the district features 43 flood-control structures designed to preserve topsoil and prevent erosion. It initially involved 34,346 acres of privately owned land and included 210 farms. This picturesque property offers a view of Iowa at its most
Welcome to Wayuga -- named for 'serenity,' and once you turn down the wooded drive at 835 230th Street, you'll understand why. Tucked beneath mature trees in rural Greene County, this 3-bedroom home plus a flexible den (ideal as a 4th bedroom, office, or nursery) blends comfort with real character and charm. Start your mornings with coffee in the sun-filled 4-season room, looking out toward the
Nestled on over 19 gross acres & just off pvmt, this meticulously landscaped property offers mature trees, a winding stream, & lush gardens. At its heart is a beautifully renovated brick ranch home w/high-end updates. The main level features 2 welcoming fmly rms, each w/ its own fireplace, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. A gourmet eat-in kitchen includes top-tier SS appliances, elegant
Escape to the countryside with this 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath acreage packed with potential! Nestled on approximately 3.5- 4 acres (survey pending) of beautiful land. Outdoor enthusiast will love all the wildlife and the space to roam! The multiple outbuildings provide ample space for livestock, equipment, storage or workshop possibilities. Recent updates include a newer roof, siding, windows, updated
Show Stopper! Welcome to this stunning 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home with beautiful finishes and a separate garage/shop/man-cave! The property features vaulted ceilings, beautiful flooring, quartz countertops, generous living areas and ample storage. Plus laundry on the main-floor! The easy layout provides plenty of space to host or entertain as well as comfortable family living. Downstairs is a
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