$153,249Average Value$169Average Price per Sq Ft12Homes For Sale
Living next door to Iowa State Fair fun
The Iowa State Fairgrounds sees visitors from all over the country for Iowa’s largest state fair, but residents in the Fairground neighborhood have access to the year-round fun minutes from their doorsteps. “The homes are older, but people who live there have been in the area forever,” says Jordan Graves, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty who works in Fairgrounds. The neighborhood sits less than 5 miles away from downtown Des Moines. Residents can drive down East University Avenue to explore the museums downtown before returning to their bungalows or Craftsman-style homes. Locals don’t have to go far to find popular dining spots like Gerri’s Bar & Grill or Latin King Italian Dining. When residents need a break from the flea markets, horse fairs and annual Iowa State Fair events, they head to outdoor spots like Laurel Hill Park or stay in the air conditioning with a trip to East Side Library. With fun to the east and work to the west, the Fairgrounds neighborhood gives locals a place to relax and convenient access to fun.
Fairground residents have easy access to Downtown Des Moines via E University and I-235.
The Fairground neighborhood takes much of its identity from the annual Iowa State Fair.
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Iowa State Fairgrounds and quiet parks
August always gets busy with the Iowa State Fair, but the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where the event is held, has a calendar full of things to do. Guests can pay to park on the fairgrounds or park off-site and ride over on a DART State Fair Park & Ride Shuttle. When the Iowa State Fair does roll around, locals have easy access to the 11 days of browsing vendors, catching live music, enjoying carnival rides and hanging out with friends. Fairground residents can also use the Iowa State Fair Campgrounds when they want to sleep under the stars without an exhausting trip to a faraway campsite.
Parents who want to take their kids to a quieter place visit Ashfield Park. Here, guests can run around the open field, use the playground equipment or have lunch under the pavilion. Another option is Laurel Hill Park, which sits south of the state fairgrounds and features a basketball court.
The Sky Glider at the Iowa State Fair transports visitors across the grounds with the best views
Ashfield Park's playground overlooks a larger open field, perfect for soccer and football games.
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Getting drinks at Gerri's Bar & Grill
Some Fairground residents live within walking distance from popular locally owned dining spots. Graves mentions the area has multiple popular dive bars, including Gerri’s Bar & Grill. The locally owned spot serves sandwiches and wings alongside their drinks. Latin King Dining seats guests in an old-school Italian dining room before serving authentic dishes. For dessert, locals stop by Dairy Zone ice cream shop for dip cones, sundaes and slushes. Papa Kerns Cafe serves classic American dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Residents who need ingredients for a homecooked meal visit the nearby Aldi location on East University Avenue or the Hy-Vee off Maple Drive. Those who want to wander around a mall on a lazy Saturday drive to the Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona. “The Jordan Creek Town Center is about 25 minutes away from Fairgrounds, and it’s a popular place,” Graves says. The Jordan Creek Town Center sits west of downtown Des Moines, and shoppers can walk around the main building or shop at other stores around the mall.
Dairy Zone is another Des Moines staple that Fairground residents get to call their own.
Gerri's Bar & Grill, home to the best buffalo wings in Des Moines, is located in Fairground.
A Des Moines staple, Latin King has been serving Italian favorites for decades.
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DART buses and access to I-235
When locals want to visit Altoona or downtown Des Moines, they drive down East University Avenue before merging onto Interstate 235. DART buses run up and down East Grand Avenue and connect residents to downtown. Skinny sidewalks with grass popping up between the cracks often run in front of the homes. While this makes it easier for residents to walk around the neighborhood, most save their time by driving to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Fairground residents have easy access to Downtown Des Moines via E University and I-235.
Bus stops along E University and E Grand connect Fairground with the rest of Des Moines.
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Older bungalows with modern touches
Bungalows, Craftsman-style homes and Colonial-style homes fill the Fairground neighborhood and were built in the late 1800s up to the early 1900s, featuring modern renovations. Most hit the market for $100,000 to $285,000, but some fixer-upper homes sell for $100,000 or less. Future residents can find multiple three-bedroom units with paved driveways, detached garages and moderate yards. Homes that hit the market usually get new owners in less than a month.
Some of the older homes in Fairground were built as early as the 1890s.
Bungalows with pops of color are popular for Fairground residents.
Small brick cottages give Fairground great character.
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Free lunches at Willard Elementary
Students here often attend Willard Elementary School, which gets a C-minus from Niche and supports students with a free lunch program. After spending time at the C-minus-rated Hiatt Middle School, kids head to the C-rated East High School and become a part of the student body, known as the East Scarlets.
The school colors of Willard Elementary are blue and yellow, and the mascot is the Wildcats.
Hiatt Middle School serves Fairground students in grades 6-8.
Fairground high school students attend East High School.
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Community full of churches and small businesses
Fairground is home to multiple small businesses and warehouses. From dive bars to painting companies, residents have access to potential jobs within walking distance from their homes. Six churches fill the area, including the Galilee Baptist Church, which has been standing for over 100 years.
Fairground residents take pride in their neighborhood, their city, and their country.
Fairground residents can drive two miles east to the Pleasant Hill HyVee for groceries, too.
Generations have been coming to Latin King to celebrate special occasions and enjoy great food.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andrew Bruellman,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Crowley Park
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Laurel Hill Park
Redhead Park
Basketball
Grills
Picnic Area
Easton Basin Park
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Ashfield Park
Basketball
Grills
Picnic Area
Pocket Park
Playground
Chesterfield Park
Transit
Airport
Des Moines International
18 min drive
Bus
E Grand Ave & E 27th St, Dsm
Bus
E Grand Ave & E 28th St, Dsm
Bus
E Grand Ave & E 20th Ct, Dsm
Bus
E 30th St & Lyon St, Dsm
Bus
E Grand Ave & E 22nd St (Far-Side), Dsm
Bus
E 30th St & Walker St, Dsm
Bus
E Grand Ave & E 26th St, Dsm
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Fairground
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Fairground, Des Moines sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Fairground, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $155,677, up 5% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This thoughtfully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home combines comfort, function, and modern style. Inside, you'll find a bright open-concept layout anchored by a spacious eat-in kitchen featuring abundant cabinet storage, generous countertop space, and eat-in countertop seating - perfect for both everyday meals and hosting friends.Both bathrooms include stylish finishes and a well-planned design,
This quaint 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home offers modern LVP flooring—stylish, durable, and easy to maintain—paired with fresh white trim for a polished, inviting look. The spacious backyard is ready for your personal touch—perfect for relaxing, barbecuing, or creating your own outdoor space. If you’re looking for a cozy, move-in-ready home to call your own, this is it!
Charming and well-maintained 2-bedroom, 1-bath home featuring a 1-car garage and a fully fenced-in yard—perfect for pets, play, or relaxing outdoors. This cozy gem offers a functional layout, comfortable living space, and easy upkeep. Ideal for first-time buyers, downsizers, or anyone looking for a move-in ready home with great outdoor space. All information was obtained from seller and public
This bungalow home with a finished attic is the definition of easy upside. All the big-ticket items are DONE - brand new roof, HVAC, and water heater mean you can focus on cosmetic upgrades and value-add touches. The main level offers a functional layout with an enclosed front porch (hello coffee mornings), a cozy family room, formal dining space, 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, and a kitchen ready for
New Photos will be posted soon HUGE! This house go on and on and on. There is a great front porch the leads you to an oversize living room. Then on to the eat in kitchen and 3 (It also has a 4th without a closet) bedrooms. There is a full bath and a half bath on the main floor. There is also a bonus room that leads you to the enormous deck and can be used as a bedroom without closet. All
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andrew Bruellman,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,624
Median Age
38
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$44,246
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$48,351
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.8%
College Graduates
13.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
70.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
14°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
45''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
41/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
49/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
32/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
