$371,261Average Value$248Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
One of Des Moines' earliest planned communities
Southwest Johnston’s peaceful vibes, award-winning schools and modern homes are only a few reasons homebuyers choose its tree-lined streets. “Southwest Johnston is home to some of the earliest master-planned communities in Des Moines, with neighborhoods built around amenities and parks, and walking trails connecting all of the smaller subdivisions,” says JoAnn Manning, a long-time resident and Realtor at Iowa Realty. “As the community has grown, we’ve still managed to maintain that small-town feel."
Quiet streets, shade trees and modern properties
Southwest Johnston has a suburban atmosphere — quiet, concrete streets lined with large trees and homes with green lawns and wide, two-car driveways. Most homes feature outdoor living spaces and built-in fireplaces for the warm summers and long winters, and large attached garages provide plenty of room for cars and toys. Homebuyers choose from various housing options, including townhouses ranging in price from the mid-$100,000s to the high $200,000s. Midcentury-style, Colonial and Contemporary Craftsman are some of the most popular styles, with prices starting in the low $300,000s and peaking in the mid-$500,000s as square footage and acreage grow. Luxury estates on sweeping stretches of land are also available and fall between the high $500,000s and $1 million mark. “Buyers should be patient for the right house to open up,” advises Scott Wendl, a broker with Re/Max Precision. “With that level of variety, it might take a minute to find the perfect house that ticks all the boxes.”
Several split-level homes can be found on the neighborhood streets of Southwest Johnston.
Some homes have a colonial influence in Southwest Johnston.
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Top schools serve Southwest Johnston students
Students begin their education at Timber Ridge Elementary before advancing to Summit Middle School, which serves students in grades 6 and 7. Both schools have an A-minus rating from Niche. From there, they’ll attend Johnston Middle School, which serves eighth and ninth grade students and has an A rating. Johnston Senior High School ranks among Iowa's top 15 public high schools on Niche’s 2024 List of Best Schools, boasting an A-minus rating and an average SAT score of 1350. Johnston Senior High School graduates regularly attend universities like Iowa State and the University of Iowa.
Timber Ridge Elementary sits on the border of Johnston and Urbandale.
Summit Middle School houses grades 6 & 7 and approximately 1,100 students.
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Little League tournaments at Lew Clarkson Park
Lew Clarkson Park is a 55-acre multi-use recreation area on the banks of Beaver Creek featuring playground equipment, sports fields, a disc golf course, walking trails and a covered park shelter. The park hosts the Johnston Little League, and food trucks line the parking lots during weekend tournaments. Adventure Ridge Park is on the community’s western edge, providing playgrounds, walking trails and open fields for sandlot-style baseball and football games. Residents can scale the walls at Climb Iowa, an indoor climbing gym for rock climbers of all ages and skill levels in the neighboring Grimes community.
The many baseball and softball fields of Lew Clarkson Park host little league tournaments.
The disc golf course at Lew Clarkson Park attracts players from all over the metro.
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Classic comfort food at Cozy Cafe
Department stores and shopping plazas line the commercial corridors of 86th Street and Highway 141. Fareway Meat and Grocery or Hy-Vee are nearby, and Westfield Plaza offers dozens of options for retail and restaurants alike. Cozy Cafe is a local breakfast favorite, with diner classics and all-day breakfast in its retro dining room. De Rice serves creative Thai and Japanese cuisine, while the Warehouse Pub has a friendly atmosphere with bar games and outdoor seating.
Southwest Johnston residents have access to several nearby grocery options, including HyVee.
Jethro's BBQ is a popular Southwest Johnston BBQ destination.
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Farmers' markets and fall yoga
Certified instructors lead Yoga by the Lake on Saturday mornings, a free class held in the fall at Terra Lake Amphitheater. The Farmer’s Market in Johnston Town Center features locally grown produce and vegetables, ethically raised meat and eggs, handmade crafts and live music, followed by Movies on the Yard, where residents spread out on blankets to watch movies like "Encanto" and "Top Gun: Maverick" on the big outdoor screen. Johnston Town Center is also home to The Yard Summer Concert Series, a free bi-monthly event featuring local and national acts.
14-mile commute to downtown
Located on the banks of Beaver Creek near Saylorville Lake, Southwest Johnston sits immediately north of Highway 35, providing easy access to Interstate 80 as it passes through Des Moines on its way from Chicago to Omaha. The neighborhood is a 14-mile commute to downtown Des Moines and 12 miles from the Des Moines International Airport.
Southwest Johnston is served by the DART Route 93 Express, with service to Downtown.
86th Street runs north to south through Southwest Johnston and connects other neighborhoods.
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
Liz Lashier,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Terra Park
Fishing
Lake
Playground
Adventure Ridge Park
Lew Clarkson Park
Northview Park
Beaver Creek Natural Resource Center
Bike Trails
Trails
Hiking
Providence Pointe Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Airport
Des Moines International
25 min drive
Bus
NW 86th St & NW 54th Ave, Jst
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NW 62nd Ave & #8800, Jst
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NW 86th St & NW 54th St, Jst
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NW 86th St & Windsor Pkwy, Jst
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Crescent Chase & Stonepointe Ln, Jst
Southwest Johnston Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Southwest Johnston, Johnston sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Southwest Johnston, Johnston over the last 12 months is $434,990, up 24% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome home to this beautiful 2-story home in Johnston. The main level features a living room with a gas fireplace and a perfectly sized dining space for spending time with family around the dining table. Head up to the upper level where you will find plenty of closet space and a conveniently located laundry room. The finished basement is perfect for an at-home gym, family room, or whatever your
This two-story Grimes townhome offers more space than you would expect. The main level features an open floor plan that makes everyday living and entertaining easy. The living room flows into the dining area and kitchen, with a convenient half bath just off the kitchen. Upstairs, you will find three bedrooms plus a loft-style space that adds flexibility - perfect for a home office or a reading
This completely transformed 1.5-story home is the perfect blend of modern charm and timeless comfort, nestled in the highly sought-after Green Meadows West neighborhood. From top to bottom, every detail has been thoughtfully updated to reflect contemporary style and high-end finishes.Step inside to discover a reimagined layout with a custom eat-in kitchen, formal dining room, and convenient
Come check out this Active Adult Cooperative now available to those 55+! This bright, third level, spacious 2 BR, 2 BA offers 1,275 sq ft & $7,896 in upgrades! It's move in ready with fresh paint & new carpet. You'll love spending time on your maintenance free balcony, where you can enjoy your morning coffee with a view...beautiful trees and wildlife. At Vintage Cooperative, there are only 47
Discover your new home nestled in the heart of Johnston, IA! Our inviting apartments boast two/three bedrooms and two bathrooms, designed to accommodate those seeking extra room. Experience the allure of our contemporary, recently refurbished units. Revel in the convenience of having a full-sized washer and dryer within your living space. Our responsive on-site maintenance team is always at your
Surrounded by beautiful landscaping, this apartment community provides its residents with a plethora of amenities and several floor plans to choose from. Each of our 1 and 2 bedroom apartments here in Johnston offer a walk-in closet, washer and dryer in unit and a private patio or balcony. Your pets are sure to love our fenced in bark park, and we're sure you'll enjoy the community room,
Discover the lifestyle you've always envisioned at our apartment community, where your living experience is our utmost priority. Whether you're looking to explore nearby parks, take advantage of cultural attractions, or simply unwind in a peaceful setting, join our community and be a part of something truly remarkable.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Liz Lashier,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
7,957
Median Age
38
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$93,303
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$120,862
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.8%
College Graduates
46.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.9%
% Population in Labor Force
86.3%
Above the national average
65.1%
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®
35/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
36/ 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.
