On the western edge of Raccoon River is the small-town community of Adel, situated approximately 25 miles west of Downtown Des Moines. In this neighborhood, residents can find a number of local restaurants, small businesses, parks and public schools all within walking distance. “People really love the close community feeling with the convenience of a bigger city just down the road,” says Tasha Garlick, a Realtor at RE/MAX Concepts who is local to the area. Anchored at the center of Adel is the historic Dallas County Courthouse, which was built in 1902 and displays elements of French Renaissance architecture; surrounding the courthouse are a number of retail stores and dining options with red-brick storefront exteriors, giving this neighborhood downtown area cohesive and cozy feel.
Craftsman- and Ranch-style homes
Homes here can be found on grid-style streets that branch away from Downtown Adel; residents can also find a number of cul-de-sacs and newer housing developments in the neighborhood’s southernmost area. Common home styles include ranch-style residences and new builds, but locals can also find a handful of American Craftsman-style properties built in the early twentieth century. Some three-bedroom ranchers constructed in 2023 can be priced around $350,000, while a restored 1910 Craftsman home with a detached garage can cost more than $455,000. Although housing is mostly made up of single-family residences, several apartment complexes and townhome communities also dot the neighborhood.
From historic to modern, Adel homes suit all kinds of styles or needs.
New construction development
With spacious driveways and lawns, Adel homes attempt to meet every family's needs.
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Grab a cup of coffee at The Morning Grind
One of Adel’s highlights is its downtown area full of small businesses and local shops. “Our little hardware store, pharmacy, and vision clinic are always helpful and welcoming anytime we stop by,” Garlick says. She also adds that Morning Grind, a family-owned coffee shop, is another local favorite: “All their pastries are homemade by the owner herself; it’s a great place to do some work and gather with friends.” Other local restaurants include Brickyard Burgers & Brews, Fiesta Mexican and River to River Bakery & Pizza. For groceries, residents can stop by Fareway Meat and Grocery and browse a selection of produce, dairy products, bakery items and dry goods.
Both local and name brand stores line the streets of Adel for plenty of options for residents.
Fiesta Mexican shines bight in the eyes of Adel residents as a great eatery for any occasion.
Dallas County Courthouse
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Students served by ADM Community School District
Students here are zoned for the Adel DeSoto Minburn (ADM) Community School District, which Niche rates a B-minus. Adel Elementary School is a B-minus-rated institution that serves young learners in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten through fifth grade. For grades five and six, students can attend DeSoto Intermediate, a B-plus-rated school located in the nearby town of De Soto. Older students might go to ADM Middle and ADM Senior High School, which both receive B-plus ratings, with ADM Senior High being named No. 4 on Niche’s “Best Public High Schools in Dallas County” list.
Adel DeSoto Minburn High School football field offers ample space for games.
Adel DeSoto Minburn Middle School teaches the local students of Adel.
Adel Elementary School keeps its grounds well maintained so kids can be safe while they learn.
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Raccoon River Valley Trail runs through Dallas County
Residents can enjoy access to a variety of parks throughout Adel; to the west, locals can find the Raccoon River Valley Trailhead and bike or walk along the walking path that traverses Adel and the Dallas County area. Located on the banks of the Raccoon River, Kinnick-Feller Park is a “great place for sporting activities,” according to Garlick, who refers to the park’s softball complex, tennis courts and large soccer field. In addition to a number of outdoor parks, locals can make a splash at the Adel Family Aquatic Center swimming pool and go bowling at the Adel Family Fun Center. For camping experiences, Adel residents have access to two nearby campgrounds: Dallas County Fair Campgrounds and Island Park Campgrounds, both of which also offer playgrounds and outdoor athletic fields.
Evans Park playground offers plenty of space for Adel families to play.
Kinnick-Feller Riverside Park has multiple different sports fields, popular for all ages.
Evans Park walking trails
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Attend the annual Dallas County Fair
This neighborhood is also home to the fairgrounds for the annual Dallas County Fair, where every year, attendees can enjoy carnival rides, live entertainment and food vendors. During the fair, residents can also check out rodeo shows and other livestock weigh-in contests. For a local community gathering space, the Raccoon Valley Bank recently reopened its Community House and is now taking reservation requests from locals looking to host events.
Dallas County Fairgrounds
Dallas County Fairgrounds is present in Adel, making festivals and events very close.
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Both the highway and Raccoon River run through Adel, making travel easy for all.
U.S. Route 6 travels east toward Downtown Des Moines
U.S. Route 169 runs north-south through the neighborhood while U.S. Route 6 extends eastward, giving Adel residents access to the surrounding Dallas County area and Downtown Des Moines. Route 169 also runs south to the town of De Soto, where it connects to Interstate 80. The Des Moines International Airport is an approximately 31-mile drive away and offers domestic flights to a number of major metropolitan areas.
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Benji Anklam
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Adel, IA sell after 75 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Adel, IA over the last 12 months is $336,495, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Experience the perfect blend of modern luxury and small-town charm in this stunning walkout ranch, built in 2024. This home makes a striking first impression with low-maintenance vinyl siding and continues to impress as you step inside to find durable, stylish LVP flooring flowing throughout the main living areas. The heart of the home is an expansive great room anchored by a cozy gas fireplace,
Welcome to this charming Adel gem! Nestled on a spacious lot in a quiet neighborhood, this beautifully maintained home offers both comfort and peace of mind. Step inside to a bright living area that flows seamlessly into an updated kitchen featuring white shaker-style cabinetry, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and modern lighting. Cozy bedrooms provide restful retreats, while
Custom Walkout Ranch in Adel. Home has an open layout, lots of natural light, 10ft ceilings, fireplace, 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, large kitchen with maple cabinets, pantry, center island with quartz counter tops and slider out to the covered deck. Mud room off the 3 stall garage with epoxy floors and 1st floor laundry. Downstairs is a walkout with 2 bedrooms, full bathroom, fireplace, theater
This modern and private home sits on over an acre in an ideal Adel neighborhood just steps from the high school. Pull into the picturesque lot with ample mature trees to the three-car attached garage with newly epoxy-coated floors. Step up to the porch with room to enjoy your morning coffee, and enter into the oversized foyer and open-concept living space. With custom built-ins and a 12-foot
Well maintained 1.5 story home in the growing community of Adel featuring a rare layout with a main level primary suite and additional bedrooms and living space upstairs. The home offers a functional open layout with plenty of natural light, comfortable living areas, and a kitchen with ample cabinet and counter space that flows nicely into the main living area, making it great for everyday living
Discover the perfect blend of privacy, scenery, and convenience with this 20 +/- acre buildable lot located in the heart of Dallas County. This rare offering, to be surveyed, sits just mile west of Highway 169 and 1 mile northwest of the I-80 Adel/DeSoto exit, providing a peaceful rural setting with unbeatable access to Waukee, Adel, DeSoto, and the Des Moines metro.Featuring a diverse
117.72 acres, m/l, located on the east side of Van Fossen Ln. in Adel, Iowa. This gently to strongly sloping farm has an estimated 111.29 FSA/Eff. crop acres. There are currently an estimated 107.00 acres in production with a CSR2 of 86.50. The property includes a 36' x 25' grain bin. Water and sewer connections are available at or near the property. Adel Future Land Use map shows single-family
Peoples Company is proud to present 156.45 acres m/l located within the growing city limits of Adel, Iowa. Ideally positioned along the south side of Highway 6, this versatile property offers a rare combination of income-producing farmland, scenic recreational ground, and long-term development potential. The property features approximately 87.08 FSA cropland acres, with about 56.50 acres
Welcome to this spacious Fox Cottage floor plan offering 5 bedrooms and 3 baths, located in a quiet cul-de-sac. With 3 bedrooms on the upper level and 2 additional bedrooms in the finished walk-out basement, this home provides plenty of space for family and guests. The main level features an open floor plan with a seamless flow between the living, dining, and kitchen areas, perfect for
Welcome to the Grant Ranch Plan by Greenland Homes, offering over 1,300 sq ft of well-designed living space. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home blends style, comfort, and functionality. The open layout makes everyday living easy, and the spacious kitchen and living areas are ideal for entertaining. The lower level is already plumbed for a future bath, giving you room to grow and customize over time.
Kading Properties prides itself on building living communities that bring people home. That means our communities are safe, friendly, well kept, well lit and close to nearby amenities for recreation, shopping and work.So whether you’re looking to upgrade from apartment living, to find a comfortable home for your family, or downsize from a home to less hands-on maintenance, Kading delivers on
Discover Comfortable Living at Sunrise Valley Trails Apartments in Adel, IAWelcome to Sunrise Valley Trails Apartments—where small-town charm meets modern comfort. Nestled in the heart of Adel, our community offers a peaceful setting with convenient access to everything you need. Enjoy spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes designed with open-concept layouts, contemporary
Stunning Adel, IA farmhouse located just NW of Adel city limits. This home provides over 1,700 sq feet of finished living space as well as sitting on approx. 4.35 acres of land. The rental is specifically for the single family home as the outbuildings & farm land are excluded. On the inside you are greeted with beautiful hardwood floors throughout, large front porch that opens to open family room
Property Id: 1777474Move-in ready 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom rental home in Adel with approximately 1,900 finished square feet. Built in 2016, this home features an open main living area, finished basement, fenced-in backyard, and an oversized third-stall garage with room to park a truck while still having extra space for tools, storage, lawn equipment, bikes, or a small shop area.The
Nestled in the heart of Adel, this charming 2-bedroom home resembles an old farmhouse. It features a spacious eat-in kitchen with new countertops, and the laundry area is conveniently located just around the corner. An updated full bathroom is situated near the bedrooms and the family room. Outside, you'll find a lovely patio and an open yard, perfect for relaxing summer evenings. The lower level
This ground floor apartment is located in the quiet suburb of Adel!! It features an open floor plan concept. Large living room with built in book case, carpets are newer. Sizeable kitchen and all appliances plus the washer and dryer are provided. One bedroom with egress window plus a bonus room with many potential uses; office, hobby room, TV room. Full bathroom. The entire unit was just
Great 2bd/1ba Mobile Home with Updated flooring throughout. Enjoy Central A/C and Heat, and Washer/Dryer in unit. Located right next to our common/park area with your own driveway and deck. The Green Gables Mobile Home Community is located in Adel, nestled in a scenic valley along the Raccoon River. Adel is known for its brick streets, historic courthouse, charming turn-of-the-century
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