Fourteen miles south of the Iowa state capital of Des Moines, Indianola is transforming from a small town into a city. Founded in 1849, the suburb was the meeting point of two of Iowa’s largest railroads and was named after a Texas ghost town also called Indianola. Growth here was slow until around the year 2000. Since then, the city has grown quickly, with a population increase of 21%. Today, it’s home to 16,000 residents, occupying just over 11 square miles. The economy is based on feed milling, education and manufacturing agricultural supplies, automotive accessories and more. Indianola is actively encouraging new businesses to start in the area, too. There’s plenty of healthcare nearby, with several hospitals and clinics in town, including MercyOne Indianola Family Medicine and UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine.
The historic downtown buildings in Indianola are all unique inside and out.
The edges of Indianola feature an ever-growing number of newer homes.
1/2
Housing for a quickly growing area
The city has around 6,300 housing units, 61% of which are detached single-family homes. Most were built in the mid-to late-1970s, and 67% are owner-occupied. Just over 230 houses were sold in Indianola between January 2023 and January 2024, with most spending around 43 days on the market. The median housing price is $288,000, but in 2023, prices ranged from $50,000 for a three-bedroom cottage needing renovation to $870,000 for a five-bedroom contemporary new construction.
Split-level homes are also a common style in the center of town.
Many new homes have three or four bedrooms and large garages.
1/2
Local flavors of fashion and food
Indianola is becoming a food destination for the region. The city has almost two dozen spots to enjoy a meal or handcrafted beverage, serving everything from fresh roasted coffee to English-inspired pub fare. The city also has a myriad of jewelry, clothing, craft and thrift stores, like Goodwill of Central Iowa. Indianola Downtown Square has a collection of nearly 100 small retail stores, restaurants and other businesses inside just a few blocks. Big-box retailers can be found a few miles away at Southridge Mall on Highway 69, and the city is close to all the shopping and dining downtown Des Moines has to offer.
Uncommon Grounds is a popular coffee shop also offering breakfast, lunch, and baked goods.
Crouse Cafe is an old-school breakfast and lunch restaurant that has been around for generations
1/2
Nature centers, state parks and miles of trails
There are 15 local parks spread over 255 acres in Indianola. The city has an aquatic center, a sports complex and an activity center with programming for adults over 50. The town maintains miles of mowed grass or hard-covered trails, and one of the best disc golf courses in the world is in Pickard Park. Lake Ahquabi State Park is nearby, and Summerset Trail in Summerset State Park runs 11 miles from Carlisle to Indianola. The Annett Nature Center rests on 2,700 acres and has its own trail system, a butterfly garden and interactive exhibits. Meanwhile, the Parks and Recreation Department works with Indianola Middle School to provide after-school activities twice a week during the academic year. The program is called The Zone and includes projects like arts and crafts, dodgeball tournaments and the Wacky Olympics.
Memorial Park has a waterpark making it very popular among Indianola families.
Dayton Park is a quiet park tucked away in the heart of Indianola.
1/2
Year-round community events
Indianola hosts all manner of community events throughout the year. It’s home to the National Balloon Classic each July and August and the National Balloon Museum year-round. The museum explores 200 years of ballooning, while the festival hosts more than 100 aircraft, skydivers, and kite enthusiasts. The Indianola Summer Art Festival takes place each July in historic Buxton Park. The two-day event marks the fourth day of the week-long Warren County Fair and the first day of the National Balloon Classic. The art festival features live music, food trucks and more than 30 artists displaying and selling works from around the region. The Des Moines Metro Opera also operates out of the city and produces three major works each summer.
National Balloon Classic
Warren County Fair
1/2
State highways and county transportation
Commuting times vary in Indianola but typically range from 5 to 15 minutes, giving this city one of the shortest commute times in the nation. This is partly thanks to several significant roadways running through town, including Iowa Highway 92 and U.S. Highways 65 and 69. The Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency, or HIRTA, operates a shuttle service in Warren County for medical appointments, shopping, school and more. Sidewalks are also prevalent in the community. Des Moines International Airport lies 17 miles northwest of town and offers 20 nonstop flights to destinations across the country through six major carriers.
Highly ranked educational options
The city is zoned to the Indianola Community School District, which serves over 3,600 students across six campuses. The district covers 160 square miles and earned a B ranking from Niche. Simpson College is also an integral part of the community. The private liberal arts school was founded in 1860 on 85 tree-studded acres. It enrolls 1,200 full-time undergraduate students, 100% of whom receive some form of financial aid, to pursue more than 80 academic pathways.
Indianola is proud to be the home of Simpson College and all of it's students and staff.
Indianola Middle School has recently gone through many renovations to improve the facilities.
1/2
Environmental factors and crime
Indianola has a possibility of severe storms and tornadoes but little chance of wildfires or flooding. The risk of tornadoes here is slightly higher than the rest of Iowa but considerably higher than the U.S. index, with a risk of 266 in Indianola but only 136 throughout the country. Indianola also has an overall crime rate that is 11% above the national average, according to FBI statistics released in September of 2023. Property crimes here are 13% below the national average, with a rate of almost 17 crimes for every 1,000 people, compared to the national rate of 20. Violent crime, however, is far above the national average, with nearly nine in 1,000 falling victim to violence, as opposed to four in 1,000 on the national level. According to the same statistics, Indianola also has a higher crime rate than much of Iowa, with a rate of one person in 116 experiencing violent crime, while one in 349 are victims of violence in the rest of the state. Property crime follows the same pattern, with one in 60 experiencing burglary or theft in the city, while one in 75 fell victim in the state.
Jason Rude is a lifelong resident of central Iowa. He graduated from Johnston High School in 2005 and completed a business degree at Drake University in 2009. In Spring of 2010, Jason became a licensed Real Estate Agent and has been serving clients in central Iowa ever since! Jason and his wife, Amanda, have been married since early 2011. In November of 2011, they welcomed their first child, Max, into the world!
In August of 2013, Gwenyth joined the family! The family continued to grow as Bo arrived November 2015, and in November 2017 the Rudes were blessed to welcome Jacqueline to the crew! Jason and his family attend Walnut Creek Church in Windsor Heights where they participate in small groups and children’s ministry. When Jason does get a spare moment or two, he also enjoys reading, playing basketball and sand volleyball. Helping people in their estate needs is truly a passion for Jason. You would be hard pressed to find a Real Estate Agent that will work harder for you!
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.
