North District
$443,390
Average Value
North District area parks
Locals can visit nearby Morningside Park, which has a picnic area, playground and access to a loop of trails around Johnston. They can also visit Johnston Commons, a 14-acre park with amenities such as a basketball court and playground. To get up close and personal with military vehicles, people can pull into the overlook beside Camp Dodge, marked Tank Hill Park, where there are tanks, a fighter jet and a scenic vista. “We try to make sure that every development of homes has a park within a quarter mile,” says John Schmitz, the director of parks and recreation for Johnston. In addition, Saylorville Lake, a reservoir maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, offers recreational opportunities such as boating, camping and fishing. Those with an interest in military history can visit the Iowa Gold Star Museum, located in the center of Camp Dodge, which offers tours of retired tanks and aircraft, as well as hands-on exhibits focused on these vehicles.
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Variety of homes around the North District
There is a wide variety of homes in the North District, from three-bedroom midcentury ranch and farmhouse-style places to newly built homes near Saylorville Lake valued at around $1 million. “It’s a pretty sought-after area. It’s not unfriendly to first-time homebuyers, but it’s not the most affordable,” says Jennings. “There is less inventory, so when something comes up for sale, it goes quickly.” Median list prices are in the low-to-mid $400,000 range. Three-bedroom, traditional-style homes may list for around $400,000, but many of the newly constructed traditional-style homes are valued between $550,000 and $1 million.Kites on the Green and Johnston Green Days
In Johnston Commons, on the first Saturday in May, there is an annual Kites on the Green event with bol racing, kite fighting and an inflatable obstacle course. In June, the city holds Johnston Green Days, a multi-day event with a carnival and live music. The festival also entails a coronation of the King and Queen of Green. This experience takes place in Terra Park, which is about 2.5 miles from the North District.Grabbing a bite to eat near the North District
For shopping needs, Fareway Meat and Grocery and Hy-Vee Grocery are both along Merle Hay Road, about 1 mile south of the North District. There is also a Walgreens nearby and several locally owned restaurants. “Charlotte’s Kitchen and Flame are both very popular,” Schmitz says. Flame serves tacos and burgers, and Charlotte’s Kitchen is known for crispy fried chicken sandwiches. Members of the Hyperion Field Club can dine at the on-site restaurant.
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North District zoned schools
North District students may attend Henry A. Wallace Elementary School, which rates an A on Niche. Johnston Middle School also earns an A, and Johnston High School, an A-minus. Johnston High partners with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) to offer dual enrollment courses, including industrial technology and health occupations. They have a nationally ranked show choir, and their soccer and girls’ basketball teams made it to state championships in 2023.Getting to and from home in the North District
Johnston is about 12 miles from downtown Des Moines. “The area has easy access to Des Moines, but there isn’t much pass-through traffic,” Schmitz says. “Also, there’s a trail system that allows you to get from place to place without having to get in your car.” Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) buses pick up riders along Northwest 70th Avenue and Merle Hay Road, taking them to the DART central station in Des Moines. Stops begin at 6:30 a.m., and the final stop is just before 8:00 p.m. on weekdays. Buses run on Saturdays and Sundays as well but with a more limited schedule. Des Moines International Airport, which offers nonstop flights to cities such as Austin and Phoenix, is 12.5 miles south.Area considerations
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) most recent survey, Beaver Creek was assessed to be in good condition for aquatic life, but it is listed as impacted due to bacteria that may make it unsafe for swimming and boating. Saylorville Reservoir was listed as impacted due to murky water.Camp Dodge serves as the headquarters for the Iowa National Guard, the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center, the Fire Service Training Bureau and the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
Written By
Ginny West
Photography Contributed By
Dylan Stowell
Video By
Charles Kennedy
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Jill Budden
Jill Budden
RE/MAX Concepts
(515) 461-8462
299 Total Sales
1 in North District
$440,000 Price
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Cody Greenfield
Cody Greenfield
RE/MAX Real Estate Center
(515) 686-6406
135 Total Sales
4 in North District
$277K - $375K Price Range
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Joanne May
Joanne May
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX Revolution
(515) 461-6816
222 Total Sales
2 in North District
$353K - $491K Price Range
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Andrew Bruellman
Andrew Bruellman
RE/MAX Concepts
(515) 575-2183
232 Total Sales
1 in North District
$723,900 Price
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Julie Lovitt
Julie Lovitt
NextHome Your Way
(402) 251-2081
7 Total Sales
1 in North District
$699,000 Price
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Jason Rude
Jason Rude
RE/MAX Precision
(515) 400-4122
374 Total Sales
1 in North District
$371,000 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
- 10th to 12th
- Public
- 8th to 9th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Dewey Park
- Picnic Area
- Soccer
- Trails
Cottonwood Recreation Area
- Bike Trails
- Camping
- Fishing
Crosshaven Park
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Soccer
Morningside Park
- Trails
- Playground
Tank Hill Park
Sycamore Park and Trails
- Soccer
- Trails
- Playground
Transit
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
702
Median Year Built
1998
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,196
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,439
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,697
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
14,374
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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$1,275 - $1,775 per month
- Mansions at Hemingway
- 1-3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 975+ Sq Ft
- 6701 Hemingway St
- Johnston, IA
-
$1,275 - $1,495 per month
- The Ave at Johnston Commons
- 2-3 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 1,030+ Sq Ft
- 6200 Clark Ln
- Johnston, 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 Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,919
Median Age
35
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
28.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$100,139
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$144,569
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.7%
College Graduates
54.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.3%
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®
19
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
16
/ 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
Herrold
Easy lake access and spacious campgrounds 13 miles from Des Moines
Northwest Johnston
A growing suburb west of Johnston Town Center and 15 miles from Des Moines.
East Johnston
Trails and trestles bring neighbors together in a Des Moines suburb
Westridge
Growing neighborhood is 5 miles from Johnston, 20 miles from Des Moines
Saylorville
Cozy suburb with access to Saylorville Lake waterfront
Southwest Ankeny
Ankeny’s oldest—and newest—homes surround walkable town centers
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