Serene suburban living just outside of Des Moines
Neatly tucked by Saylorville Lake and Big Creek Lake, Polk City is a fast-growing community north of Des Moines . Bordered by the water, the area attracts residents who enjoy outdoor recreation and spending time in nature. Polk is also home to the city’s town square, with schools, parks, restaurants and lots of new construction filling the landscape. “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.”
New developments throughout Polk City
Residents enjoy the quiet, tranquil lifestyle of a suburban community. “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. Many of the new properties were built within the past two decades, featuring Colonial Revival, ranch-style and Tudor Revival homes decorated by moonstones and stucco exteriors. Single-family houses tend to be about 1,300 to 1,800 square feet, and are priced between $350,000 and around $750,000. The streets are lined by young trees and sidewalks, and grassy lawns add a serene finish to the suburban outlook. In the more developed areas of the town, one will find modest bungalows and ranch-style homes from the early 1900s. Sized at around 1,000 square feet, these older properties go for around $250,000.
North Polk Community School District
Families also take pride in the area’s school district. Area primary centers, North Polk West Elementary School and North Polk Central Elementary School, receive an A and an A-minus Niche rating, respectively. North Polk Middle School gets an A, and North Polk High School has a B-plus Niche score. North Polk High has a Silver Cord community service program and partners with Des Moines Area Community College to provide students with opportunities to earn college credits while in high school.
Miles of hiking trails at city and state parks
Polk City has eight parks nestled throughout the city. Small pocket parks include Kiwanis Park, Morse Family Park, Miller Park and Doc Simmer Memorial Park; each park comes with a mix of playgrounds, sports facilities, walking trails and green space. Marina Cove Park has a fishing pond, and the Polk City Sports Complex has soccer, baseball and softball fields and batting cages. Big Creek State Park has a paved, 27-mile-long Neil Smith Trail, a large beach, and Big Creek Lake is popular for fishing, swimming and boating. Alternatively, residents can spend a day relaxing on Oak Grove Beach, providing direct access to Saylorville Lake, which is another attraction for canoeing, river fishing, hunting and hiking. Golf aficionados will also appreciate the expansive golf course of the Tournament Club of Iowa, or play disc golf at the 18-hole Big Creek Disc Golf Course. The 26-mile paved High Trestle Trail is also close by for hikes through Iowa's natural landscape.
Restaurants by Polk City Town Square
Polk City Town Square’s vicinity is home to many local restaurants such as Rising Sun Café and Papa’s Pizzeria. Residents go to Fareway for groceries, and Target is about 10 miles away in Ankeny. Marle Hay Mall, which is about 13 miles south in Des Moines, has over 90 stores and restaurants, a movie theater and a bowling alley for entertainment.
Summer fun at the Four Seasons Festival
Recognized as the city’s flagship celebration, the Four Seasons Festival is held annually in July with family-friendly activities, food and live shows. Polk City’s fall festival features train rides, pumpkin painting, face painting and seasonal treats from local vendors. Winter holiday events include the Light Up Polk City lighting ceremony and the Letters to Santa activity. Notable events in Des Moines include the Iowa State Fair and the World Food and Music Festival.
Less than 30 minutes from Des Moines
While some parts of the city are bikeable, Polk remains a car-dependent neighborhood and residents need to drive for commutes and errands. Hop on Iowa Highway 415 or Interstate 35 for about 18 miles to commute into downtown Des Moines, and about 22 miles to the Des Moines International Airport. Interstate 80 leads into Chicago and greater Illinois.
