Windsor Heights is the most central address in the Des Moines metro — and that location is the whole story. It's a small, fully landlocked city of about 5,250 people, hemmed in on all four sides by Urbandale, Clive, West Des Moines, and Des Moines. It's roughly 1.4 square miles, walkable, tree-lined, and built out with established mid-century homes. When a buyer wants to be minutes from everywhere without paying new-construction prices on the edge of the metro, Windsor Heights almost always earns a look.
Windsor Heights isn't chasing growth — it's already at the center of it. In my experience, three things bring people here:
Here's the honest framing: because Windsor Heights is only about a mile and a half across, it doesn't break into five distinct sub-markets the way a big suburb does. Instead, the meaningful lines are the school-district split and the age and condition of the housing stock. Knowing those up front saves you from touring the wrong homes.
West of 70th Street (West Des Moines schools side) — Addresses here fall in the West Des Moines Community School District. Established homes, quiet residential streets, and proximity to Clive and the Walnut Creek Trail. Best for: buyers who want a central location with the West Des Moines district assignment.
East of 70th Street (Des Moines Public Schools side) — Addresses here fall in Des Moines Public Schools, closer to the 63rd Street corridor and the Des Moines line. Similar established housing, often a slightly more attainable entry point. Best for: buyers prioritizing central access and value.
University Avenue & newer infill — Along the rebuilt University corridor you'll find pockets of newer townhomes, condos, and redevelopment mixed in with the original stock. Best for: buyers who want lower maintenance or newer finishes and still want to be central.
Price ranges in Windsor Heights vary widely with size and updates. Smaller original ranches and bungalows tend to sit at the lower end of the market, while renovated homes, larger properties, and newer University Avenue townhomes run higher. Because the city is small and inventory is thin, figures move month to month — reach out and I'll give you the current read for your exact price band.
Windsor Heights is a low-inventory, high-demand pocket for one simple reason: they aren't making more of it. A few patterns I'm watching:
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House hacking is one of my specialties, and I'll be straight with you about Windsor Heights: true side-by-side duplexes are limited in a city this small and this built-out. But the central location makes it one of the stronger rent-demand pockets in the metro, and there are still real ways to make the numbers work:
If you're investment-minded, this is a market worth running the numbers on carefully rather than assuming a classic duplex play. Full house hacking playbook here →
"We couldn't have asked for a better experience working with Jackson. He made both buying our new home and selling our previous townhome feel seamless. What really sets him apart is how much he genuinely cares."
— T.M., Central Iowa (Verified Zillow review)
This is the single most important thing to understand before you buy here: Windsor Heights is split between two school districts by address. The dividing line is 70th Street.
Because two districts run through such a small city, never assume the district from the general area — confirm the exact assignment for any specific address directly with each district before you write an offer. I go deeper on both districts in my Windsor Heights schools guide.
Whether you're a first-time buyer, an investment-minded buyer, or right-sizing to a central location, Windsor Heights rewards buyers who understand the school split and can move quickly when the right home in this thin market shows up. I work this market every day and I'm happy to help you get your bearings — no pressure. Let's set up a free 15-minute conversation:
Weighing your options? Clive sits just west with a mix of established and newer inventory along the same trail corridor. West Des Moines is directly south with the metro's biggest retail and a wide range of price points. Urbandale borders Windsor Heights to the north with strong schools and steady inventory, and Des Moines wraps the east side with the metro's widest selection of homes.
Jackson Krile is a REALTOR® on the Flanders Team at RE/MAX Real Estate Center. Licensed in Iowa #S66867000. DMAAR + CIBR member. Serving Windsor Heights, Clive, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Des Moines, and surrounding Central Iowa communities.
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