$431,327Average Value$275Average Price per Sq Ft50Homes For Sale
How Polk City balances growth with family-friendly charm
Bordered by Saylorville and Big Creek lakes, Polk City attracts residents who enjoy outdoor recreation and spending time in nature. This fast-growing community, located north of Des Moines, has new schools, parks, a town square and restaurants — and there's also ongoing home construction. Polk City is close enough to downtown Des Moines and larger suburbs in the area to be considered a quick trip, but the area maintains its small-town, family-friendly feel even as it continues to grow.
Polk City’s edges continue expanding with new developments and upscale housing options.
Polk City Town Square is the only remaining square in Polk County and a hub for local amenities.
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Polk City’s housing market compared to nearby communities
“Polk City is rapidly growing with new developments and more exclusive neighborhoods,” says Ryan Rohlf, Chief Client Advocate and Realtor at Keller Williams Legacy Group. “I have homebuyers who specifically want to move to Polk because it’s close to the lakes, the nature trails and the golf course.” Polk City’s median sale price is in the mid-$400,000s, which is:
Higher than the Des Moines median in the low $200,000s
Higher than Ankeny's median in the mid-300,000s
On par with Johnston's median in the mid-$400,000s
Homes stay on the market, on average, for about 75 days, compared to the national average of about 55 days.
Colonial Revival homes built in the last 20 years are popular in newer developments.
Ranch-style homes are nestled on large lots beneath mature trees.
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New construction brings Colonial and Tudor-style homes
“There is actually quite a bit of new construction,” says Shonna Murrey, a broker associate and area leader for Epique Realty and team leader for The Murrey Group. “It’s growing pretty fast.” Many of the new properties built within the past two decades are Colonial Revival, ranch-style and Tudor Revival homes decorated with moonstones and stucco exteriors. The streets are lined by young trees and sidewalks, and grassy lawns add a serene finish to the suburban outlook. The suburban community offers a quiet, tranquil lifestyle away from the city. “People like it here as Polk has a small-town feel, and it’s still in the greater metro area of Des Moines without being in the busier parts of town,” Rohlf says.
Most homes are zoned for North Polk Community School District
North Polk Community School District serves the majority of the community. Its five schools are highly rated and serve around 2,280 students. North Polk Middle and High schools are in Alleman. The high school offers a Silver Cord community service program and collaborates with Des Moines Area Community College to provide students with opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school. A small portion of Polk City is zoned for Ankeny Community School District, which also has highly rated schools. Per state law, families can transfer their students to other Iowa school districts if space is available.
North Polk High School in Alleman is just 15 minutes east of Polk City.
North Polk Central Elementary School offers ample outdoor space for student activities.
North Polk West Elementary School serves families in Polk City with strong academic programs.
Near Polk City, North Polk Middle School teaches grades 6–8 with a focus on academic excellence.
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Quick routes connect locals to the airport and major interstates
Polk is mostly car-dependent, but there are some biking opportunities. “It’s right outside of the Des Moines metro [area], so there’s easy access to the big city,” Murrey says. You can hop on Iowa Highway 415 or Interstate 35 to commute to downtown Des Moines or the Des Moines International Airport. Interstate 80 leads to Chicago. Polk City has a town square with some local restaurants, but residents will have to drive to Ankeny and Merle Hay Mall for more shopping and dining options.
Outdoor spaces include beaches, sports fields and green parks
Polk City has several parks, including Kiwanis, Miller and Doc Simmer Memorial. They have a mix of playgrounds, sports facilities, walking trails and green spaces. The Polk City Sports Complex has soccer, baseball and softball fields and batting cages.
The paved, roughly 26-mile Neil Smith Trail is at Big Creek State Park, which also has a lake with a beach, popular for fishing, swimming and boating. Oak Grove Beach provides direct access to Saylorville Lake, which is another destination for canoeing, fishing, hunting and hiking. Golfers can head to the expansive golf course of the Tournament Club of Iowa, or play disc golf at the 18-hole Big Creek Disc Golf Course. The paved High Trestle Trail is about 25 miles long and is nearby for hikes through Iowa's natural landscape.
Kiwanis Park offers disc golf, green space, and a large event pavilion.
Saylorville Lake provides fishing, boating and scenic outdoor recreation.
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Written By
Joyelle Ronan
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Jahlil Harris
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
David Welch,
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Polk City, IA sell after 78 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Polk City, IA over the last 12 months is $440,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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