More than 300,000 flowering tulips adorn Pella’s streets for the annual Tulip Time festival in May. The tulip is a symbol of national pride in the Netherlands, and Pella is often considered the Dutch Town of America. Settled between the Des Moines and Skunk rivers, Pella is known for its small-town feel, Dutch traditions and architecture and its proximity to Des Moines. “The city has great schools and low crime, and residents take pride in where they live,” says Jill Veenstra, Realtor with Home Realty. Established as a city in 1870, Pella was first settled by Dutch immigrants seeking refuge from religious persecution after their split from the Dutch Reformed Church. Today, the city is home to more than 10,000 residents and manufacturing companies like the Pella Corporation, specializing in window and door production, and Vermeer Corporation, an environmental equipment fabricator, contribute to 40% of Pella's workforce. Despite its industrial development, Pella’s history is maintained through its preservation of local landmarks like the Historical Village, the Vermeer Windmill and its vibrant flora scattered throughout the city. With a relaxed lifestyle and a community-oriented spirit, Pella is a blooming community in Marion County, Iowa.
Pella is more that just your typical small midwest town.
Pella is home to worldwidde manufacturer Pella Corporation.
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New development, ranch-styles and townhouses
Homes in Pella are desirable for their entry-level pricing and wide range of styles. “The housing market in Pella is strong,” says Veenstra, who has over 23 years of real estate experience in Pella. “There’s a number of local manufacturers with several employees driving our market, so you’ll notice we have no empty buildings in our downtown business district." With a median sales price of $350,000, homes here cost around $50,000 less than the national median. Prices range from $80,000 for a plot of land to $350,000 for a three-bedroom ranch-style to upwards of $800,000 for a five-bedroom newly constructed two-story traditional. Most of the housing stock consists of established single-family ranch-styles and split-level designs, but Pella also offers multi-family twin-style homes and townhouse options concentrated around downtown. Subdivisions are expanding north and southwest, and brand-new builds are common in neighborhoods like Fountain Hills and Bos Landen communities, starting around $600,000.
Midcentury ranch homes are a common sight throughout Pella.
Pella is constantly expanding, with developments of modern Contemporary homes springing up.
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City parks, local history and the largest lake in Iowa
Pella has 15 parks for residents to enjoy year-round. Central Park is a primary gathering space in the city’s central commercial district and has a sundial and paved walking paths lined with tulip beds. History buffs can visit landmarks like the Pella Historical Village, the Vermeer Windmill and the Tulip Toren, a 70-foot tower celebrating the city's tulip heritage. The Pella Sports Park on the east side of the city spans 105 acres and is home to a playground, picnic area and five baseball fields. North Overlook Park is 5 miles from downtown and has boat launches, nature trails and sandy beaches lining Lake Red Rock, the largest lake in the state. Cyclists can access the paved Volksweg Trail from here, which stretches 15 miles from Pella to the Des Moines River. The public Bos Landen Golf Course is located in the southwest corner and offers an 18-hole championship course and golf lessons for players of all skill levels. The city experiences all four seasons, from long, humid summers to freezing winters, with an average annual snowfall of 27 inches.
In the evenings, Pella's Central Park is always alive and buzzing.
Pella is just minutes from the largest lake in Iowa, Lake Red Rock.
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The annual Tulip Time festival
In May, residents can attend the annual Tulip Time festival at the Pella Historical Village on Franklin Street. Tulips, a symbol of the Netherlands, represent the area's extensive Dutch trading influence throughout the 17th century. The Tulip Time Steering Committee runs this three-day event hosted on the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each May. Visitors enjoy a market of Dutch vendors, a parade down Main Street and a fireworks display on Friday night. A highly anticipated event, the city plants hundreds of thousands of bulbs each fall in preparation for this springtime festival each year.
Tulip Time is Pella's major festival time and a grand celebration of Dutch culture.
Tulip Time takes over all of Central Park in Pella, not to mention the rest of the city.
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Local grocers, boutiques and eateries in downtown Pella
For groceries and everyday essentials, residents living in the west side can head to the Fareway Meat and Grocery store or to Walmart Supercenter along Washington Street. Those on the east side can visit Hy-Vee Grocery off Oskaloosa Street. Retailers like Dollar General and Pella Regional Pharmacy are also nearby. There are also local shops, like the Franklin Street Boutique or The Funky Zebras, on Main Street that offer a curated selection of clothing options. When dining in the area, folks can choose between fast-food chains and family owned eateries in downtown Pella. Notable mentions include Jaarsma Bakery, a long-standing Pella restaurant that has served traditional Dutch bread, cakes and cookies since 1898.
No trip to Pella is complete without a visit to Jaarsma Bakery for a delicious Dutch Letter.
Pella maintains an array of local grocery and big box shopping options, such as Fareway.
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A-rated education at Pella Community Schools
Pella families are zoned for the Pella Community School District, which earns an A-minus from Niche. It serves around 2,500 students and is ranked 28th out of 303 for the best district in Iowa. There are two elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Most students attend Pella High School, which also earns an A-minus and partners with the local university to provide dual enrollment courses to earn college credit. Those interested in pursuing a higher education can look to Central College along University Street. It’s a private four-year university affiliated with the Reformed Church in America with over 70 academic programs.
Pella High School earns fantastic marks for academics.
Central College is a major draw to Pella for college students across Iowa.
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Nearby healthcare and trips into Des Moines on Highway 163
Highway 163 runs along the city's southern border, connecting residents to neighboring areas and Downtown Des Moines. Public bus rides are provided by the Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA), which serves Pella and Knoxville. When traveling farther, the Des Moines International Airport is 50 miles away from the community. For healthcare, the Pella Regional Health Center is located off Jefferson Street.
Crime
According to FBI data, the Pella Police Department’s violent and property crime rates remain well below national figures. Violent crime decreased in 2023, while property crime increased by 20%.
Written By
Christian Slater
Photography Contributed By
Dylan Stowell
Video By
Michael Carey
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jill Veenstra,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Pella, IA sell after 65 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Pella, IA over the last 12 months is $505,000, up 28% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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