Bondurant has quietly become one of Central Iowa's most active growth markets, and it's one of my favorite spots to point buyers toward. Sitting just east of Ankeny on Highway 65, Bondurant offers what a lot of Central Iowa buyers are looking for right now - newer construction, the local district, easy metro commute, and entry prices a step below the Ankeny premium. The city has nearly tripled in size in the last decade, and from what I'm seeing on the ground, that trajectory keeps going.
Why Bondurant is winning the growth race
- Bondurant-Farrar Community School District - Bondurant's own PreK-12 district, with a solid academic profile, strong athletics, and schools serving the city directly.
- 10-15 minutes to downtown Des Moines via Hwy 65 + I-235. Direct shot.
- Adjacent to Altoona's growth corridor - Facebook + Microsoft data centers, plus Adventureland + Outlets are all 5-10 minutes south.
- New construction inventory at lower price points than Ankeny. Comparable homes in Bondurant typically run $30K-$60K less than the same finishes in Ankeny.
- Small-town feel. Bondurant has retained the friendly, less-rushed energy of a community that recently became a city - neighbors know each other, school sports games pack the stands.
Bondurant neighborhoods - where the activity is
New construction north + west of Hwy 65 - The bulk of Bondurant's recent growth. Master-planned subdivisions, modern finishes, HOAs, trails. Price range: $325K-$525K depending on lot + floor plan. Best for: families wanting newer construction at meaningful savings vs Ankeny.
Older Bondurant (south of Lincoln St, near the original downtown) - Established neighborhoods, mid-century to 1990s housing stock, mature trees. Walkable to the historic downtown. Price range: $225K-$375K. Best for: first-time buyers, investors, anyone wanting value + character.
East Bondurant (along Hwy 65) - Newer subdivisions on the Mitchellville-adjacent side. More acreage-adjacent, larger lots. Price range: $375K-$550K. Best for: buyers who want a bit more space without leaving the city.
South Bondurant (toward Altoona border) - Mixed development, some commercial-adjacent. Easy access to Altoona's commercial corridor (Adventureland, Outlets, Bass Pro). Price range: $300K-$475K.
What the Bondurant market looks like right now
- New construction inventory is strong. Builders are competing here - incentives + design-center credits are available. Worth a hard look if you're flexible on the 6-9 month timeline.
- Resale homes under $400K move fast - typically 14-21 days for properly-priced single-family.
- Price growth has been steady over the past 3 years - Bondurant has appreciated alongside Ankeny without quite the headline numbers, which means good comparative value.
- Lot sizes vary widely - older Bondurant has larger lots; newer subdivisions are tighter. Verify before falling in love.
- Days on market: 14-28 days for resale; new construction is build-time + sale-time combined.
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Schools in Bondurant
Bondurant is served by the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District:
- Bondurant-Farrar Elementary - Bondurant's primary elementary, serving most of the city.
- Bondurant-Farrar Middle School - Bondurant has its own middle school, keeping students in the community from elementary through graduation.
- Bondurant-Farrar High School - the district's high school, right in Bondurant. Strong athletics and activities, and a short commute that keeps local families close to home.
- The Bondurant-Farrar district has been growing rapidly - expect facility expansions and possible boundary adjustments over the next 5-10 years.
Verify the attendance zone for any specific address before committing - boundaries shift as new neighborhoods come online.
House hacking + investor angle in Bondurant
Bondurant works well for investors and house hackers, and here are a few patterns I'd want you to know before you run the numbers:
- Newer construction at lower entry prices means better cap rates than equivalent Ankeny properties. A $400K Bondurant home rents for similar money to a $450K Ankeny home in the equivalent neighborhood - so your numbers work better.
- Walk-out ranches are common in newer Bondurant subdivisions and work well as house hacks.
- Rental demand is supported by Ankeny + Altoona spillover - professionals commuting to those job markets often rent in Bondurant for affordability.
Full house hacking playbook here →
Things to do in Bondurant
- Bondurant City Park - community park with athletic fields, playgrounds, summer events.
- Lake Petocka - Altoona-adjacent, 10 minutes south. Public lake with trails.
- Adventureland Resort - 10 minutes south in Altoona. Iowa's biggest amusement park.
- The Outlets of Des Moines - major shopping destination just south.
- Saylorville Lake - 20-25 minutes via Ankeny corridor.
- Bondurant's growing local restaurant + brewery scene - small but expanding.
- Easy access to downtown Des Moines events - Riverfront, Court Avenue, Wells Fargo Arena, all 15-20 minutes away.
Major employers - the commute picture
- Downtown Des Moines - Principal, Wells Fargo, Nationwide, EMC. 15-20 minute commute.
- Altoona data centers (Meta, Microsoft, Google) - 5-10 minutes south.
- John Deere Des Moines Works - accessible via I-35 + I-80 connection.
- I-80 east access - 5 minutes to I-80, useful for any cross-state professionals.
What clients say about working with me
Ready to make a move in Bondurant?
Bondurant rewards buyers who understand the growth trajectory and know which neighborhoods to focus on - that's exactly the kind of thing I love walking people through. I work this market and the surrounding east-side corridor all the time. Let's grab 15 minutes, no pressure:
Nearby Central Iowa communities
Considering options outside Bondurant? Ankeny sits just west with deeper inventory + Ankeny CSD schools. Altoona is south with similar Southeast Polk schools + active data center growth. Mitchellville is east with more rural acreage and quieter pace.
Jackson Krile is a REALTOR® on the Flanders Team at RE/MAX Real Estate Center. Licensed in Iowa #S66867000. DMAAR + CIBR member.