The 1920 Census reported 298 residents of Urbandale, a Des Moines streetcar suburb with coal mine shafts scattered throughout. It’s a far cry from today’s active housing market and its status as one of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa. "What was once a small community has grown into a large suburb," says Cary Claiborne, Broker Associate with Iowa Realty Ankeny and a Des Moines area resident since 1978. "In fact, the whole Iowa Metro area is poised for great growth." While the mines closed long ago, the area has become a suburban haven for commuters working in the heart of Iowa’s capital city.
Urbandale residents take pride in their homes and their community.
Urbandale is home to all manner of corporate job opportunities.
Urbandale is home to many top tier employers, and is full of great job opportunities.
Urbandale takes great pride in its historical roots and its long record of service.
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New builds join established homesteads
Urbandale’s streetscapes have evolved over the years to match its rise in popularity. The terrain is more open in newer developments, with wide walkable streets lined with maple saplings and neat sidewalks. "The older, more established section on the east side is made up of homes from the 50s and 60s," says Derek Zarn, Urbandale's director of marketing and communications for the City of Urbandale. "Streets are lined with tall, lush trees, and houses have smaller lots." Existing inventory consists primarily of ranch and split-level houses, as well as new three-bedroom townhouse communities. Custom-built homes include contemporary, colonial and ranch-styles. The median home price in Urbandale is $342,000 as of fall 2024. The median price for townhouses is $259,000, while the median for single-family homes is $389,000.
Many Urbandale residents have turned their backyards into private getaways.
Larger modern homes can be found in the western sprawl of Urbandale.
On Urbandale's west side, developments of impressive new Traditional homes are springing up.
Urbandale's original core largely consists of midcentury ranch and bilevel homes.
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Schools serving Urbandale students
The Urbandale Community School District scores a B-plus from Niche and offers open enrollment. While this district covers a large, central swath of the city, the rest is split between five other districts; kids may attend classes with their peers from Des Moines, Johnston, Waukee, West Des Moines or unincorporated Dallas County, depending on where they live. Urbandale is also close to Des Moines area colleges, like Drake University and Des Moines University.
Walnut Hills Elementary School is located off 156th Street.
Olmstead Elementary School is one of several elementary schools serving Urbandale.
Welcome to Urbandale Middle School.
Urbandale High School is known for its excellent academics, clubs, and athletics.
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Trails and parks connecting the Urbandale community
Urbandale is home to a 54-mile trail system, 57 parks and more than 1,000 acres of parkland. Parks offer active and passive amenities, from the contemplative public art along the nature trails at Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park and Gardens to the adrenaline-inducing skateboarding section at Walker Johnston Park, which hosts Urbandale's youth sports leagues and adult pickleball tournaments throughout the year. The city’s flashy Mobile Recreation van makes its rounds to neighborhood parks in the summer months with games, crafts, sports equipment and more. Visitors learn about the past 300 years of Iowa’s agricultural history at Living History Farms, a 500-acre interactive outdoor museum.
The expanse of Walker Johnston Park is a central gathering spot for Urbandale residents.
The gardens of Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park & Garden offer a green side of Urbandale.
Many miles of trails meander through the beautiful neighborhoods of Urbandale.
Urbandale boasts an impressive modern skate park at Walker Johnston park.
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Heading to Merle Hay Mall or the local Hy-Vee
The city’s humble beginnings started around 70th Street and Douglas Avenue, where a range of local businesses and chains now operate. In 2022, the Urbandale city council voted to allocate $1.5 million towards the development and expansion of this downtown area. Folks travel along Route 5, NW 100th Street and Urbandale Drive to visit supermarkets and big box stores such as Hy-Vee, Faraway Meat & Grocery, Aldi and Target. Merle Hay Mall—situated on the southeastern border between Urbandale and Des Moines—features over 90 stores and restaurants, plus a bowling alley, arcade and movie theater.
Merle Hay Mall sits on Urbandale's eastern border and is one of the metro's oldest malls.
Urbandale boasts a large, cutting edge HyVee for daily grocery needs.
The Home Depot is located next to Target and is easily accessible to all of Urbandale.
Urbandale is home to Homemakers furniture, the state's largest furniture retailer.
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Commuting on the Des Moines “Urban Loop”
Urbandale sits at the intersection of Interstates 35 and 80, inside what locals call the "Urban Loop," an easily accessible network of traffic routes to Downtown Des Moines, all within 10 miles. Public transportation is available via Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority bus stops along Douglas Avenue and Meredith Drive; however, most locals prefer to use their cars or bike to nearby locations. Residents travel short distances to neighboring cities for some amenities like healthcare; MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center is about 4 miles south on I-35. Des Moines International Airport is a longer ride away, 17 miles to the south.
Holiday walks on 86th Street and biking with the mayor
Pedestrians pass glowing trees, gingerbread houses and an ice-skating rink at Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park from late November to early January. Miracle on 86th Street is the biggest winter holiday celebration in the city and the site for several seasonal events. In the spring, bikers hop onto Urbandale’s trail system with the Urbandale mayor during the Mayor’s Bike Ride, following on a family-oriented route or a longer excursion. The ride is usually followed by donuts and coffee. Urbandale is also about 10 miles from the events in downtown Des Moines, like the weekly farmers market that takes place from May through October.
Urbandale crime statistics, Iowa winters and reforesting parks
According to the Urbandale Police Department, 68 violent crimes and 333 property crimes occurred in the city in 2023, both increases from 2022. The overall crime rate is pretty low, with only 8.6 instances of crime occurring per 1000 residents between 2022 and 2023. The department’s Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is a three-phase certification to educate rental property staff about crime prevention and ensure properties meet important security requirements like deadbolt locks and adequate lighting. The department also fields a bicycle patrol unit, which also holds bicycle safety lessons at its summertime “Bike Camps.”
Urbandale residents gear up for heavy snowfall in the winter; the city does its part by pretreating and plowing 495 lane miles of streets and 315 cul-de-sacs. Street parking is prohibited when plowing is underway. The community is also hard at work reforesting five of Urbandale’s parks after a heavy storm in July 2024 uprooted many trees.
Written By
Emma Downes
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Stewart Taveras
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On average, homes in Urbandale, IA sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Urbandale, IA over the last 12 months is $350,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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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.
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