Named after the lake it borders, Saylorville is a suburban community sandwiched between Downtown Des Moines and the city of Ankeny. This neighborhood is largely residential and made up of single-family homes and a handful of newer housing developments, like the Greens at Woodland Hills, which offers properties situated on the Woodland Hills Golf Course. Residents can explore numerous public parks and outdoor green spaces in the area, as well as access to the Saylorville Lake waterfront. There are a couple of local restaurants that dot the area, and locals can find a convenience store and several auto body shops in Carney, a neighborhood subdivision. Students here are served by two school districts: Ankeny Community School District and Saydel Community School District, which receive an A grade and a C grade from Niche, respectively. Ankeny Community School District is also ranked No. 1 on Niche’s “Best School Districts in Des Moines Area” list.
Saylorville is a small community just north of Des Moines with a sprawling, semi-rural feel.
Saylorville features streets of beautifully manicured suburban landscape.
1/2
Ranch-style homes and newer housing developments
“Homes in this area don’t come up often, but when they do, they are quickly sold,” says Joan Axtell, a real estate associate with RE/MAX Concepts who sells homes in the area. She adds that being outside the Ankeny city limits means residents are not subject to covenants and city taxes. Single-family homes here line windy residential roads shaded by towering bitternut hickories and oak trees. A handful of cul-de-sacs and dead-end roads can be found in this neighborhood, as well. There are also a number of newer housing developments that feature planned residential communities; in the Green at Woodland Hills development, residents can find three-bedroom new traditional-style homes that were built in 2022 and cost a little more than $350,000. Ranch-style residences can be found throughout the neighborhood, as well as a handful of American Craftsman homes that feature front porches and attached garages.
Much of Saylorville features a large amount of greenery to help locals feel comfortable and safe
Saylorville residents can live right on the golf course at Woodland Hills.
1/2
High marks for Ankeny Community School District
Within the Ankeny Community School District, young learners can attend primary school at Crocker Elementary, an A-rated institution named No. 4 on Niche’s “Best Public Elementary Schools in Polk County” list. Students might then go to Southview Middle and Ankeny High School, which both receive A ratings, as well. The Saydel Community School District is made up of three academic institutions, which are all within walking distance of each other: Cornell Elementary School, rated C-plus; Woodside Middle School, rated C-minus; and C-rated Saydel High School. Additionally, the Des Moines Area Community College is located just north of Saylorville and offers more than 200 programs, certificates and transfer degrees, including the Iowa Culinary Institute.
Crocker Elementary School in Southwest Ankeny prepares Saylorville students for greatness.
Students of Southview Middle School near Saylorville excel in their studies.
Older Saylorville students attend Ankeny High School.
1/3
Go fishing on Saylorville Lake
This neighborhood is home to the southern waterfront of Saylorville Lake, which offers a unique opportunity for local outdoor recreation. The main purpose of this reservoir and its reason for construction was to provide flood control, but it has now also become a popular multipurpose spot for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. On the southern end of the neighborhood, Margo Frankel Woods State Park offers space for hiking and outdoor picnics, as well as an onsite playground. Cottonwood Recreation Area offers another option just south of Saylorville Lake and features onsite campgrounds, restrooms and access to the Des Moines River. Residents can also go golfing at the Des Moines Driving Range and the 18-hole Woodland Hills Golf Course, which also features an Executive 9 course for beginners and golfers with limited playtime.
The Cottonwood Recreation Area has tons of amenities for any Saylorville visitor.
Saylorville's Cottonwood Recreational Area provides access to the river for fishing or canoeing.
1/2
Sorriso Grille serves up comfort food classics
A handful of shopping options are available in Carney, a neighborhood subdivision. Here, residents can browse Casey’s convenience store and grab a drink at The Carney Tap, a local late-night bar. Sorriso Grille is another Carney dining option with an old-school restaurant atmosphere that offers a fare full of comfort food, including pies and breakfast omelets. Residents can also dine at Sonny’s Pizza Bistro, known for its casual setting alongside various traditional Italian meals, including pizza, pasta and sandwiches. For groceries, residents can drive 3 miles north of the neighborhood into Ankeny to shop at Fareway Meat & Grocery.
Sonny's Pizza Bistro serves pizza and Italian favorites in their Saylorville patio.
Sonny's Pizza Bistro serves favorites to all of Saylorville with a smile on their face.
1/2
7-mile drive to Downtown Des Moines
Saylorville residents are about a 7-mile drive away from Downtown Des Moines. “If you work or drive to Des Moines or any area south or west often, the trip is short with an advantage of being already south of Ankeny traffic,” Axtell says. Residents can also access two nearby airports: Ankeny Regional Airport, situated 5 miles west, and Des Moines International Airport, located 11 miles south. Iowa Highway 415 runs north-south through this neighborhood, while U.S. State Route 69 runs adjacent to the area and connects commuters to Interstate 35 in nearby Marquisville.
Saylorville is a suburban neighborhood north of Des Moines on Saylorville Lake.
Older Saylorville features a wealth of split and bilevel homes and nice ranches.
1/2
State fairs and arts festivals in Des Moines
There’s no shortage of events in the Des Moines metropolitan area – each year, the city hosts the Iowa State Fair, known to be one the largest events in the state featuring agricultural and industrial expositions. This annual state fair lasts for more than a week and hosts a number of live music performances, carnival rides and food vendors. In the summer, residents can attend the Des Moines Arts Festival, an annual summertime celebration that’s been a tradition in the Des Moines area for more than 25 years.
Written By
Collin Cope
Video By
Charles Kennedy
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Teresa Rockwood,
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
Welcome to this one level, ranch-style home located in the Stonehaven neighborhood of Ankeny. Built in 2017, this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2 car attached garage home offers modern living with thoughtful design and a great location. Step inside to an open-concept floor plan. The living room features a vaulted ceiling and cozy gas fireplace perfect for relaxing after a hard day or warming up in the
Welcome to 3522 SW Maize Drive, a beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 3-bath ranch home that offers the perfect blend of space, style, and comfort in a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood. Step inside to an inviting living space filled with natural light, featuring large windows and a cozy fireplace—just right for chilly Iowa evenings. The spacious kitchen flows into the dining area and out to a
Nestled among mature trees on Ankeny's southwest side, this 5-bedroom walkout ranch in Carlson Ridge Estates offers the perfect mix of privacy and convenience. You're just minutes from Saylorville Lake, parks, and all the amenities of Ankeny, yet tucked away in a peaceful setting. Inside, enjoy brand-new LVP flooring throughout the main level, an all-new HVAC system, and the convenience of 3
Welcome to this one level, ranch-style home located in the Stonehaven neighborhood of Ankeny. Built in 2017, this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2 car attached garage home offers modern living with thoughtful design and a great location. Step inside to an open-concept floor plan. The living room features a vaulted ceiling and cozy gas fireplace perfect for relaxing after a hard day or warming up in the
Welcome to 3522 SW Maize Drive, a beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 3-bath ranch home that offers the perfect blend of space, style, and comfort in a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood. Step inside to an inviting living space filled with natural light, featuring large windows and a cozy fireplace—just right for chilly Iowa evenings. The spacious kitchen flows into the dining area and out to a
Nestled among mature trees on Ankeny's southwest side, this 5-bedroom walkout ranch in Carlson Ridge Estates offers the perfect mix of privacy and convenience. You're just minutes from Saylorville Lake, parks, and all the amenities of Ankeny, yet tucked away in a peaceful setting. Inside, enjoy brand-new LVP flooring throughout the main level, an all-new HVAC system, and the convenience of 3
6633 NW 6th Unit 7, Des Moines IowaNestled in Saylorville Township , this beautiful rental is a true gem on NW 6th Dr. Offering modern living with a warm, inviting feel with ample natural lighting throughout the unit. This apartment unit features an open layout with updated stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, hard surface floors, high efficiency furnace/air and a private entrance.
Oakwood Place hosts a variety of thoughtfully designed floor plan configurations, including 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments, perfected for everyday living. The spacious apartments are designed for daily comfort. Each of our apartments features in-unit washer & dryer, ample closet space & more. Contact us now to schedule your tour! *Income limits may apply*
Don't miss the opportunity to rent this beautiful townhome with lots windows and natural light, conveniently located near shopping and restaurants. This end unit provides a lot of space, extra 1/2 bath, lots of natural lighting, and a gorgeous open floor plan! Washer/dryer is provided for you right inside your unit.
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
