Urbandale Real Estate

Urbandale is the Central Iowa "best of both" city. Established neighborhoods with mature trees. New construction at the edges. Public schools. 15 minutes to just about anywhere in the metro. It's a community that's grown smart - adding density and walkability without losing the suburban character that drew buyers here in the first place. Urbandale moves at a steadier pace than the newer-growth cities, and honestly, that's a big part of what makes it work. For current prices and how to win the right home here, see my buyer's guide to homes for sale in Urbandale.

Overview

Why Urbandale keeps drawing Central Iowa buyers

• The Urbandale Community School District is the district serving most of Urbandale - with academic and arts programming.
• Established + still growing. Unlike newer cities, Urbandale has mature trees, walkable older neighborhoods, AND active new construction at its edges. Rare combination.
• Centrally located. 15 minutes to downtown Des Moines, 10 to West Des Moines, 20 to Ankeny. The most-connected city in the metro.
• Stable ownership tenure. Longer average homeownership tenure than newer cities - Urbandale residents tend to stay 8-15+ years.

Urbandale neighborhoods - knowing where to look

South Urbandale (south of Hickman Rd) - Established mid-century neighborhoods with mature trees, walkable streets, and proximity to West Des Moines. Lower turnover. Price range: $275K - $450K. Best for: first-time buyers, downsizers, anyone valuing established neighborhood feel.

Central Urbandale (Hickman to Aurora) - Mix of 1970s - 2000s housing stock. School zoning, predominantly 3-bedroom-plus housing stock. Price range: $325K - $525K. Best for: buyers who want this district without committing to luxury pricing.

North Urbandale (north of Aurora to Meredith) - Newer construction, larger lots, more master-planned feel. Includes neighborhoods like Stoney Creek and Walnut Ridge. Price range: $425K - $725K. Best for: move-up buyers wanting newer construction.

Far north Urbandale (beyond Meredith, near Johnston border) - Newest construction in the city. Premium pricing, larger executive lots. Price range: $550K - $900K+. Best for: luxury + executive home buyers.

NW 86th Street commercial corridor - Not residential, but worth noting: the heart of Urbandale's commercial activity. Costco, Target, Hy-Vee, restaurants. Most Urbandale homes are within 10 minutes of this corridor.

What the Urbandale market looks like right now

A few things I'm watching in the Urbandale market right now:

• Steady, predictable demand. Urbandale doesn't have the boom-bust feel of the newest suburbs - it has measured, year-round buyer activity.
• Multiple-offer scenarios are common in the $325K - $475K range, especially in the most competitive attendance zones.
• Days on market: 10-25 days for properly-priced single-family. Homes in the most competitive attendance zones often move in under 14 days.
• Inventory at higher price points (above $600K) is more negotiable - buyers have more leverage here than in newer-construction-heavy cities.
• Walk-out ranches in Urbandale are sought-after for both owner-occupants and house hackers.

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

Schools in Urbandale

• Urbandale High School - Urbandale's high school (9-12). AP curriculum, arts and athletics.
• Urbandale Middle School - Single middle school for the district.
• 4 district elementary schools - Karen Acres, Olmsted, Valerius, and Webster. Three Waukee district elementaries (Walnut Hills, Waterford, Radiant) also sit inside Urbandale city limits.
• Heritage Christian School + private alternatives are also based in Urbandale for households considering private options.

Verify attendance zones for any specific address - Urbandale adjusts as enrollment shifts.

Things to do in Urbandale

• Walker Johnston Park - Urbandale's signature park with trails, splash pad, athletic fields.
• Lions Park + Karen Acres Park - Established neighborhood parks with playgrounds + walking paths.
• Living History Farms - National historic landmark just south of Urbandale.
• NW 86th Street commercial corridor - Major shopping + dining destination.
• Iowa Arboretum - 20 minutes south, 350 acres of trails.
• Urbandale Library + Senior Center - Active community programming year-round.

Major Urbandale employers + proximity

• Easy commute to downtown Des Moines - Principal, Wells Fargo, Nationwide, EMC, Meredith Corp.
• West Des Moines proximity - Hy-Vee corporate, Wellmark, FBL Financial.
• Local Urbandale employers - Pioneer/Corteva, Aviva, several major insurance + financial services offices.
• 15-minute access to Ankeny commercial corridor + the John Deere campus.

House hacking in Urbandale

Urbandale is one of the more under-rated house-hack markets in the metro, and it's one I like to point investment-minded buyers toward. Three things make it work:

1. Walk-out ranches are common in Urbandale's mid-century neighborhoods, especially south of Hickman Rd. Easy to rent the basement separately.
2. Rental demand is strong from people working downtown + West Des Moines.
3. Established neighborhoods mean stable comparable rents - you can model your numbers with confidence before you buy.

Full house hacking playbook here →

What clients say about working with me

Ready to make a move in Urbandale?

Urbandale rewards buyers who understand the school zoning, the neighborhood tiers, and the seasonality - and that's exactly the kind of thing I'm happy to walk you through. Wherever you land, no pressure. Let's talk through what's on right now:

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

Nearby Central Iowa communities

Looking outside Urbandale? Johnston directly north shares many of the same characteristics with slightly different school zoning. Clive sits south with similar pricing + established character. Grimes is west - newer, more growth, lower entry prices. If Johnston is the close call, my comparison of Urbandale or Johnston on districts and housing covers drive distances and parks too.

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