Located about 4 miles south of Saylorville Lake and bordering Beaver Creek to the west, Central Johnston is a tranquil residential community that is in proximity to the city of Des Moines. Cited by Money Magazine as the “top suburb in Iowa,” this neighborhood has often received accolades for its reasonable cost of living, top-rated schools and quality of life. “This is a neighborhood north of the city with a small-town feel; it’s got good transportation, outstanding schools, lots of boating and recreational options and big employers such as DuPont, John Deere and Iowa PBS,” says Jerry Steenhoek, a local agent serving the Dallas County area at Iowa Realty Waukee.
Quiet suburban streets in Central Johnston.
Many yards are landscaped and come with mature trees.
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Residential homes in Johnston
Primarily comprised of ranch-style and Colonial Revival homes, properties in Central Johnston sit on sizeable, landscaped front lawns with leafy trees that shade the sidewalks. A 2,700-square-foot, single-family home with three bedrooms can be listed from about $400,000 to $550,000. “The home value in the Johnston area continues to trend upward; although the homes have longer days on the market, we are still seeing multiple offers coming in for listings,” says Steenhoek.
Central Johnston homes often adorn two car garages.
Many modern houses sit within Central Johnston.
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Johnston Community School District
Prospective schools include Henry A. Wallace Elementary School and Johnston Middle School, both of which have an overall A score from Niche. Johnston High School has an A-minus rating and, with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), offers a dual-enrollment program for students interested in careers such as business, health sciences, design and engineering.
Young students attend Henry A Wallace Elementary School
Johnston Middle School is located in the Northwest Johnston neighborhood of Johnston, IA.
Johnston Senior High School welcomes students.
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Area parks in Johnston
The 200-acre Terra Park is at the heart of Central Johnson, providing residents with scenic trails, a grassy outdoor event space for concerts and celebrations, a playground and a fishing pier at Terra Lake for anglers. Lew Clarkson Park, which is adjacent to Beaver Creek, is connected to the Green Meadows West Trail and the Beaver Creek Greenbelt Trail for casual strolls or hikes. There is also a nine-hole disc golf course near the park’s wooded area for enthusiastic players.
Anglers take to Terra Park Fishing Pier.
Terra Park trails lead to a playground.
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Shopping and dining on Merle Hay Road
The neighborhood’s nearest grocery store Hy-Vee is along Greendale Road, and staple restaurants like the upscale Trostel’s Greenbriar are on Merle Hay Road. For casual fare, visit the Cactus Bob’s BBQ Corral, which is often praised for authentic briskets and longhorn barbeque dishes. For shopping and entertainment, head 2 miles south to the Merle Hay Mall, which is complete with a movie theater, a bowling alley and over 90 fashion labels and restaurants. Big-box retailers such as Target and Kohl’s are also at the mall.
Cactus Bob's BBQ restaurant entrance for a good night out.
Residents grab groceries at HyVee in the Merle Hay shopping center.
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Local celebrations in Johnston
Johnston Green Days is an annual festival that takes place at Terra Park with carnival rides, parades and a business Expo. The Green Festival at Johnston Commons Park is another yearly celebration featuring kite-building, kite flying, live music and fun for the entire family. Closer to the city, the 11-day Iowa State Fair takes place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds with carnival rides, live performances and shows, nearly 100 food vendors and 1 million visitors. Additional celebrations include the World Food and Music Festival offering cuisine from 26 countries, the two-day 80/35 Music Festival featuring artists from around the world and the Des Moines Arts Festival.
Navigating Johnston and Des Moines
While the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) provides bus routes for areas of Des Moines, not every neighborhood has an accessible bus stop. Central Johnston remains a car-dependent community for daily and work commutes. Medical clinics such as UnityPoint Health – Johnston and Mercy One – Johnston are in the neighborhood, and UnityPoint Health – Iowa Lutheran Hospital is about 10 miles away. The Des Moines International Airport is about 15 miles to the south, and Interstate 80 and Interstate 35 lead into Chicago and Minneapolis, respectively.
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.
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This stunning 11,000 sq ft Mediterranean-style estate seamlessly blends luxury, comfort, and sustainability on a private 3-acre lot. The open floor plan features exquisite hardwood floors throughout, an updated kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a spacious walk-in pantry. The home boasts two main-level suites with attached baths, four generously sized upper-level
Spacious 3BR, 3BA townhome in the quiet Green Meadows neighborhood. This 2-story home offers plenty of room to live and grow, with an unfinished basement providing endless potential. Mature trees and a peaceful setting add to the charm. Competitively priced, it's a great opportunity to add your own personal touch and make it your own. Great location close to schools, parks, and more!
Welcome home to 6008 Dogwood Lane. This contemporary two-story family home is nestled on a cul-de-sac. It's located in the coveted Green Meadows neighborhood. You can ride your bike or walk to Wallace Elementary with your kids in this tree-lined community with biking trails galore. 6008 is a large house and features include: Designer roof with cedar shake aesthetic, all brick front elevations
Brand New Apartments in Johnston IA offering spacious 1 and 2 bedroom apartment homes. We are located off of Merle Hay Road with easy access to I35 to get to downtown Des Moines or West Des Moines. Conveniently located by grocery stores, employment, restaurants, and the Johnston schools. Call today to find out about our move-in special!! Pets Welcome!
Winwood Apartments, located minutes from downtown Des Moines, Iowa, is nestled in the peaceful surroundings of Johnston's Green Meadows community. Offering a variety of studio, one, and two bedroom luxury apartment homes, Winwood Apartments include such amenities as a washer/dryer in every unit, vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, and outside storage. Many unique features make living at Winwood an
Overlooking the city of Johnston, Residences at 62W ascends above all that has come before. Modern design within minutes of city luxuries, matched with the tranquility of the suburbs, creates a unique lifestyle. Featuring market leading amenities, upscale apartment finishes, and superior customer service, Residences at 62W offers an unparalleled living experience.*Prices subject to change
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andrew Bruellman,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,658
Median Age
38
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$76,203
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$97,807
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.3%
College Graduates
59%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
26.7%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
11°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
30''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
29/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1/ 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.
