Grimes Real Estate

Grimes is the Central Iowa growth story most outsiders haven't caught onto yet - and I think that's exactly what makes it worth a close look. Sitting in Dallas County between Johnston and Dallas Center, Grimes has tripled in population over the last 20 years and the trajectory continues - new subdivisions, new schools, new commercial activity. The combination of Dallas Center-Grimes school district, sub-20-minute commutes to West Des Moines + downtown, and meaningful new-construction inventory has made Grimes one of the metro's most active markets.

Why Grimes is one of the metro's hottest markets

• The Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District (DCG) serves Grimes and Dallas Center - strong test scores, well-funded programs, and the kind of community engagement that drives families to relocate specifically for the schools.
• 15 minutes to West Des Moines via Hwy 141. 25 minutes to downtown Des Moines. 10 minutes to the Hy-Vee corporate / Wellmark / Casey's HQ corridor.
• New construction inventory is at a metro-leading pace - multiple master-planned communities active, with builders competing on incentives.
• Dallas County positioning - Grimes residents get the schools + amenities of one of Iowa's wealthiest counties without the West Des Moines premium pricing.
• Housing stock - most homes are 3-bedroom+, with established neighborhood amenities and active youth sports.

Grimes neighborhoods - knowing where to focus

The Reserve at Brook Run + new subdivisions north of Hwy 141 - Newest construction, master-planned with HOAs, trails, parks. Larger lot options in some sections. Price range: $400K-$700K. Best for: families wanting the newest finishes + amenity-rich community.

Established Grimes (south of Hwy 141, near the historic downtown) - 1990s-2000s housing stock, mature trees, walkable to the original downtown core. Price range: $300K-$475K. Best for: families wanting an established neighborhood feel at lower entry prices.

North Grimes + Dallas Center border - Mix of newer construction + agricultural-edge properties. Larger lots, more space. Price range: $375K-$650K. Best for: buyers wanting space without leaving the metro.

East Grimes (toward Johnston border) - Newer subdivisions, easy commute to downtown Des Moines, often slightly more affordable than the Johnston side of the same neighborhoods. Price range: $350K-$525K.

Premium executive enclaves - Grimes has several pockets of higher-end inventory (custom homes, larger lots, golf-adjacent). Price range: $650K-$1.1M+.

What the Grimes market looks like right now

• New construction supply is the deepest in the metro. Multiple builders are active. Negotiation room + incentives are real, especially on inventory homes (vs. spec or to-be-built).
• Resale moves fast in the family-home sweet spot. 3-4 bedroom homes between $375K-$525K typically go contingent in 7-21 days.
• The most competitive attendance zones command a premium. Confirm the elementary feeder before falling in love with a specific address.
• The $550K-$750K range has more negotiation room than the entry-level price points.
• Days on market: 10-25 days for properly-priced single-family; new construction is build-time-dependent.

I send a free Central Iowa market report monthly with the actual numbers. Get on the list at Jackson's Hub →

Schools in Grimes

The Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District (DCG) serves Grimes and Dallas Center:

• Dallas Center-Grimes High School - Academic profile, athletic programs, AP curriculum.
• DCG Meadows + DCG Heritage Middle Schools - Two middle schools serve the district.
• 4 elementary schools - DCG Heritage, DCG North, DCG South, Dallas Center Elementary. Attendance zones map specifically by neighborhood.
• Growth-related boundary adjustments happen periodically - verify the current attendance zone for any specific address.

The DCG district is one of several west-metro districts, alongside Waukee, Johnston, and Ankeny.

Things to do in Grimes

• Brookview Park - Grimes' signature public park with athletic fields, trails, splash pad.
• Beaver Creek Wildlife Refuge - natural area adjacent to Grimes, popular for hiking.
• The Grimes Family Aquatic Center - community pool, summer destination.
• Downtown Grimes - historic core with local restaurants, breweries, and the iconic Iowa Distilling Company.
• Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden - 15 minutes east.
• Iowa Arboretum - 25 minutes south, 350 acres of trails.
• West Des Moines Jordan Creek Town Center - major shopping + dining destination 15 minutes south.

Major Grimes-area employers + commute

• West Des Moines - Hy-Vee corporate, Wellmark, FBL Financial, Casey's HQ. 15-minute commute.
• Downtown Des Moines - Principal, Wells Fargo, Nationwide, EMC. 25 minutes.
• Pioneer / Corteva Agriscience - major employer in Johnston, easy commute.
• Easy I-35 + I-80 access for cross-metro professionals.

Investor + house hacking in Grimes

I'll be straightforward with you - Grimes is more of an owner-occupant market than an investor market. That said, there are pockets where the numbers work, and here's where I'd look:

1. Walk-out ranches in established Grimes work well as house hacks. Live upstairs, rent the basement.
2. 4-5 bedroom new construction in newer subdivisions can accommodate roommate-style house hacks.
3. Rental demand is steady but not aggressive - most Grimes homes are owned, not rented. Plan your numbers conservatively if investor-buying.

Full house hacking playbook here →

What clients say about working with me

Ready to make a move in Grimes?

Grimes rewards buyers who understand the school zoning, the new construction landscape, and the difference between the four major sub-markets - and that's the kind of detail I'm glad to walk you through. I work this market and the surrounding west-side corridor all the time. Let's grab 15 minutes, no pressure:

• 📱 Call or text Jackson - 515-490-8614
• ✉️ Jackson@FlandersTeam.com
• 🏠 Visit Jackson's Hub for the full Central Iowa playbook →

Nearby Central Iowa communities

Considering options outside Grimes? Johnston sits directly east with a comparable district at slightly higher price points. Dallas Center is just north - quieter, smaller, with shared DCG schools. Urbandale is southeast with established Urbandale CSD schools and more established neighborhoods.

Jackson Krile is a REALTOR® on the Flanders Team at RE/MAX Real Estate Center. Licensed in Iowa #S66867000. DMAAR + CIBR member.