$244,890Average Value$197Average Price per Sq Ft14Homes For Sale
Newer homes, quick commutes and a laid-back vibe in Mitchellville
Mitchellville is a small farming community of about 2,500 people that straddles the border between Polk and Jasper counties. The rural town offers respected schools, a growing housing stock and proximity to Interstate 80. “You get this easy, laid-back, small-town life, but you’re also only 20 minutes from downtown Des Moines, so I think that’s probably the biggest draw and why it’s growing, because you have a lot of young professionals looking for affordable housing,” says Abby Hausmann-Virgil, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty who has sold homes in the area. “I have clients who live in Mitchellville and they’re like, ‘We don’t even lock our doors.’”
Farmland surrounds Mitchellville, reflecting its agricultural roots.
A welcome sign greets visitors entering Mitchellville.
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Historic homes and new builds at a lower price than Altoona
Mitchellville features early 20th-century National and bungalow homes in the center of town, post-war split-level and ranch-style homes, and new builds in burgeoning subdivisions. “There are lots of young families, and there’s quite a bit of new construction happening, too, so it’s a growing community,” Hausmann-Virgil says. “Primarily, people want to live outside of the city. In general, properties in Mitchellville are cheaper.” Mitchellville’s median sale price is about $250,000, much lower than the Altoona median of about $320,000. Houses built before 1950 and smaller two- or three-bedroom homes typically fetch between $150,000 and $250,000, while post-war builds sell for $200,000 to $350,000. Recently built New Traditional homes cost between $250,000 and $400,000.
Early 20th-century bungalows are common in central Mitchellville.
Newer builds in Mitchellville offer affordable options near Interstate 80.
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Kids start school in town and finish in Altoona
Kids can attend Mitchellville Elementary School, which receives an A-minus grade from Niche, before heading to Altoona for the remainder of their school years. Southeast Polk Middle School, built in 2024 to serve kids in Grades 6 and 7, is currently unrated by Niche, while Southeast Polk Junior High School receives a B-plus. Southeast Polk High School, rated B, offers about a dozen Advanced Placement classes and more than 30 college credit courses through Des Moines Area Community College. Niche ranks Southeast Polk Community School District as one of the top 10 in Iowa for athletes.
Southeast Polk High School, built in 2010, offers AP and college credit courses.
Mitchellville Elementary School in Polk County receives an A-minus rating from Niche.
Southeast Polk Junior High School in Altoona serves students in grades 7 and 8.
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Camping, hiking and fishing at Thomas Mitchell Park
Spanning 175 acres, Thomas Mitchell Park has a playground, fishing pier and hiking trails. An oak-hickory forest provides a thick canopy for flora and fauna to flourish, plus campsites and cabins for outdoorsy folks. “They’ve got a nice park and baseball field and they even have an axe-throwing league that meets there,” Hausmann-Virgil says. City Park is a gathering place for families with pavilions, picnic tables and playground equipment. Golfers can hit the greens at Terrace Hills Golf Course and Colfax Country Club, both open to the public. Locals are within a short drive of Adventureland Park, which has exhilarating rollercoasters, a waterpark and events like Phantom Fall Fest, an after-dark spook-tacular with haunted houses and nighttime thrills.
The playground at Thomas Mitchell Park is surrounded by flowers and whimsical mushroom sculptures.
Terrace Hills Golf Course in Altoona is open to the public.
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Residents often leave town for groceries and errands
Mitchellville is highly residential, but Center Avenue has a couple of spots to grab a bite to eat. Rebel Farms is a general store and coffee shop with specialty drinks, breakfast fare and goods from local vendors. The business also makes a line of freeze-dried candy. Just down the street, La Casa Hidalgo serves up street tacos, fajitas and margaritas. Dollar General has essentials, and the recently built Kwik Star also has a small grocery section, but most people head to Altoona to grab groceries at Fareway or Hy-Vee.
Dollar General in Mitchellville stocks household essentials and snacks.
Hy-Vee in Altoona provides groceries, pharmacy services and more.
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Downtown Des Moines is only 20 minutes away
Residents have easy access to Interstate 80, the main throughway to Altoona, less than 10 miles away. Mitchellville is about 20 miles from downtown Des Moines and 30 miles from Des Moines International Airport. Several hospitals are within a 20-mile radius, including UnityPoint Health-Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines and MercyOne Newton Medical Center in Newton.
Celebrating history and agriculture in Mitchellville
Locals celebrate the town’s founding with Thomas Mitchell Days, a weekend-long event held every September. The festivities include a street dance, city-wide garage sales, a parade and friendly competitions. During the fall, a local farm transforms into Pumpkinville, a seasonal attraction with a corn maze, hayrides, pick-your-own pumpkins and local vendors.
Important to know
Mitchellville has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, which is lower than the national score of 4 out of 10. The town is home to the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women, a medium-security prison toward the outskirts of town, which Hausmann-Virgil says doesn’t affect day-to-day life. The city has battled water quality issues for years, which officials have tried to combat by replacing decades-old cast-iron pipes. While the water is safe to drink, many residents opt to use services like the water filling station at Rebel Farms for clean drinking water.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
Photography Contributed By
Becky Gaskill
Video By
Aiyshanti Green
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Angela Veatch,
an experienced agent in this area.
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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On average, homes in Mitchellville, IA sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Mitchellville, IA over the last 12 months is $258,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Situated off pavement on nearly 1 acre, this beautifully updated 4-bed, 3-bath home offers over 3,400 sq. ft. of finished living space and extensive modern upgrades. Built in 1998 and significantly improved through a 2021 remodel, this property blends comfort, function, and thoughtful details throughout. The main level includes 1,842 sq. ft. of living area with a fully remodeled kitchen featuring
Charming three-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath home in the heart of Mitchellville! This property sits on a spacious quarter-acre lot and features a bright dining room, comfortable living room, and functional kitchen with adjoining mudroom. The two-car garage provides ample storage and convenience. A great opportunity to make this one your own!
Better than new! This Kimberley modern-open ranch-built in 2019, 1,487sq ft on main and additional 1484sq ft in basement that has recently been finished. Main flr offers a lrg laundry/mudroom w/shiplap custom bench right off the 2-car att. gar. Spacious kitchen-dining open to living room area that is perfect for entertaining. The primary bedroom-tray ceiling connects to the Master bath w/walk-in
TAX ABATEMENT! Good-as-new 2023 open ranch plan in Mitchellville offering modern finishes, thoughtful design, and nearly 2,300 sq. ft. of beautifully finished living space. This 4-bed, 3-bath home features an inviting layout with vaulted ceilings, a wood beam accent, and a stunning electric fireplace with slat-wall detail and wood mantel. The kitchen and main living area showcase waterproof LVP
This tract consists of high-quality farmland with development potential and a lease payment at the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women. Property Location:Western part of tract: From Exit 149 on Interstate 80, travel south on NE 112th Street to Mill Street SW/NE 58th Avenue. Travel west on NE 58th Avenue to NE 110th Street. Tract lies on the east side of NE 110th Street, and it can be accessed
This new three-bedroom home offers low-maintenance single-story living. Two bedrooms sit just off the foyer, which leads to an inviting open plan shared between the kitchen, living and dining spaces. A generous owner’s suite delivers a private retreat with its own full bathroom and walk-in closet, while an unfinished basement provides endless possibilities.
JUST LIKE NEW Kimberley Development 2-Story Bi-attached Townhome in Deer Run. This plan has 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms in 1555 SF with attached 2-Car Garage, covered Front Porch, nice sized back Deck with fully fenced back yard. Walk in to a great Dining Room, attached to an open-concept kitchen with peninsula, pantry, painted cabinets, granite countertops, and SS appliances overlooking the
Step inside this beautifully designed 1,579 square foot home and discover effortless single-story living with standout style. The welcoming foyer leads to two spacious bedrooms and an open-concept living area, where the kitchen shines with 42 white cabinets, quartz countertops, a tile backsplash and LG stainless steel appliances—including a gas range and side-by-side fridge with ice dispenser.
Don't miss this beautifully updated farmhouse on a landscaped half-acre corner lot in the Southeast Polk School District! The inviting front porch welcomes you into a bright living room and formal dining room with new LVP flooring. Stunning french doors open to a versatile main-floor bedroom or office. The updated kitchen features stainless steel appliances and a massive butcher block island with
This truly unique property offers the space, setting, and opportunity that can be hard to find. With over 2,400 square feet situated on 1.6 acres and conveniently located off hard surface roads, there is plenty to appreciate inside and out! Step inside to a huge living room with plenty of space for entertaining, relaxing, and gathering with friends. As you make your way into the kitchen, you will
Love a ranch home but need 4 bedrooms on the main floor! This is the one for you! Take a look at this spacious ranch offering 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and nearly 2,500 finished sq ft, plus 2 years remaining tax abatement with the small town feel that Mitchellville offers. The open main level features a bright white kitchen with quartz countertops, large island, pantry, and seamless flow into the
Imagine waking up each morning to peaceful country views, wildlife nearby, and the quiet sounds of nature instead of traffic and city noise. This beautiful 5-acre parcel just north of Mitchellville offers the perfect opportunity to build your dream home, barndominium, or private country retreat. The work has already begun with a road and culvert installed, making it easier to bring your vision to
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