Grimes grew from 15,392 people at the 2020 Census to 17,405 in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimate. Buyers come for the DCG school district, new construction inventory and a 15-minute commute to West Des Moines. If you're considering a move to Grimes, here's the honest assessment from someone who works this market daily.
You'll love Grimes if you...
The Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District serves 3,760 students (2024-25, NCES Common Core of Data); a strip along the east side and a small area at the north end are in the Johnston Community School District, and a small area at the south end is in the Urbandale Community School District (US Census Bureau school-district maps).
For specific school-level performance metrics, the Iowa Department of Education's School Performance Profiles tool is the most current objective source. I also keep a separate deep-dive on Grimes schools if you want every detail.
Grimes has several distinct sub-markets, each with its own character: James Place, The Heritage at Beaver Creek, Brickerwood, central Grimes. Each has different pricing, character, and target buyer. For specific neighborhood guidance, I work through this individually during the buyer consultation. For current new-construction prices and how the market works, see my buyer's guide to homes for sale in Grimes.
15 minutes to West Des Moines. 22 minutes to downtown Des Moines.
Grimes was founded in 1881, incorporated in 1894, and takes its name from James W. Grimes, a former senator and the third governor of Iowa. The name carries into Governors Days, the three-day festival held the first weekend of June and celebrated in Grimes since 1983, with a Grand Parade, carnival and 5K at the South Sports Complex on South James Street.
West of Highway 141, the Hy-Vee Multiplex Powered by the City of Grimes covers 50 acres of synthetic turf with 12 full-size soccer fields and 18 baseball and softball fields. Closer to home, the city's 8.5-acre Waterworks Park has a splash pad and shelters. If you are touring homes in early June, Governors Days is an easy way to see the community together in one afternoon.
Prices move month to month, so I keep a dated market snapshot on the Grimes area page and pull live MLS comps for any home you are serious about. Days on market vary by price point and neighborhood; I pull the current figure for your price range before we write an offer. Comparing builds? See new construction homes in Grimes. If you are comparing suburbs as well, my Grimes versus Waukee side-by-side comparison lines up home prices, school districts, commutes, and amenities.
For a current snapshot of Grimes inventory + pricing, I send a free monthly Central Iowa market report. Subscribe at Jackson's Hub.
Whether you're a first-time buyer, a move-up family, or a relocation buyer evaluating Grimes for the first time, I can walk through what your specific budget gets you here vs. competing communities. No pressure, no sales pitch - just the numbers and the honest reality of the market.
Jackson Krile is a REALTOR® on the Flanders Team at RE/MAX Real Estate Center. Licensed in Iowa #S66867000. DMAAR + CIBR member. Serving Central Iowa.
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