Moving to Ankeny, IA

About Ankeny

Ankeny (pop. ~79,800 in 2026 per worldpopulationreview.com, Polk County) is the single largest suburb in the Des Moines metro and one of Iowa's fastest-growing cities — its population has more than tripled since 1980. Located ~10 miles north of downtown along I-35, it combines master-planned residential neighborhoods (including the Prairie Trail mixed-use development) with a major retail corridor along Delaware Avenue and big employers like John Deere Des Moines Works and Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

Home prices in Ankeny

The median listing price in Ankeny is $364,995.

Top places in Ankeny

• Saylorville Lake
• Prairie Trail
• Uptown Ankeny
• Delaware Avenue corridor
• Prairie Ridge Sports Complex and Cascade Park
• Otter Creek Golf Course
• Ankeny Art Center
• Ankeny Summerfest
• Saturday farmers market (May–September).
• High Trestle Trail

Commuting from Ankeny

• Drive to downtown Des Moines: ~15–20 minutes south on I-35 (approximately 10 miles).
• Transit: DART bus connects Ankeny to downtown Des Moines in about 20 minutes (per investopedia.com, read September 24, 2026).
• Direct access to I-35 and I-80; easy reach to Ames (Iowa State University) and Des Moines International Airport.

Schools in Ankeny

Public schools: Ankeny Community School District. For enrollment and performance data, see the state report card in Town links below. Confirm school assignment for any address directly with the district.

Ankeny FAQs

• What is the housing market like in Ankeny, IA?
  The median listing price in Ankeny is $364,995. Median listing price · Realtor.com · September 25, 2026
• How is the commute from Ankeny, IA?
  Drive to downtown Des Moines: ~15–20 minutes south on I-35 (approximately 10 miles).
• Which school district serves Ankeny, IA?
  Ankeny is served by Ankeny Community School District. See the state report card in Town links, and confirm school assignment for a specific address with the district.

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