West Des Moines got to be the metro's premier west-side address the slow, durable way — jobs, schools, retail, and neighborhoods people plant in for decades. It spans two counties and two school districts, which is exactly why the exact address matters so much here. If you're considering a move, here's the honest assessment from someone who works this market daily.
You'll love West Des Moines if you...
Here's the single most important thing about West Des Moines schools: the district depends on which county your home is in. The Polk County portion is served by the West Des Moines Community School District, anchored by Valley High School (with Valley Southwoods for freshmen). The Dallas County portion is served by the Waukee Community School District, and several Waukee elementaries sit inside city limits. Dowling Catholic High School is the main private option.
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 West Des Moines schools if you want every detail.
West Des Moines has several distinct sub-markets, each with its own character: Historic Valley Junction / 5th Street, Jordan Creek / West Glen, Glen Oaks / Country Club, Fox Creek / Mills Civic, and central Ashworth / Raccoon River. Each has different pricing, character, and target buyer — and they split across the two school districts. For neighborhood-by-neighborhood guidance and price bands, see my West Des Moines area overview, or I'll work through it individually during your buyer consultation.
West Des Moines is built for access. Interstates 235, 35, and 80 all touch the city, so downtown Des Moines is roughly 10–15 minutes east, the airport is about 15 minutes, and the western Dallas County growth corridor is right out the back door. Many residents also work in-town at the Wells Fargo campus, Hy-Vee corporate, Athene, FBL Financial, or Microsoft's data centers.
Jordan Creek Town Center — the largest shopping center in Iowa — and Historic Valley Junction, the walkable original downtown with locally owned shops, restaurants, and a seasonal farmers market, are the community's signature anchors. Add Raccoon River Park (630 acres with a lake, beach, and trails) and two well-known golf courses, and West Des Moines offers one of the strongest amenity bases in Central Iowa.
West Des Moines in 2026 is competitive but more balanced than the frenzy years. The median sale price is around $334,990, up roughly 6% year-over-year, with the median single-family price closer to $358,000 and Dallas County new construction pushing well past that (mid-2026 figures, source: homes.com). Homes average about 59 days on market citywide, but well-priced, move-in-ready homes in popular zones move faster; higher-priced or unique homes take longer.
For a current snapshot of West Des Moines inventory and 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 West Des Moines for the first time, I can walk through what your specific budget gets you here versus competing communities — and which school district each address falls in. 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. Market figures reflect mid-2026 and change month to month.
Search live listings or get a personalized plan from someone who works this market daily.