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Northwest Johnston

Northwest Johnston

Suburban Neighborhood in Johnston, Iowa

Polk County 50111, 50131

$467,994 Average Value
$207 Average Price per Sq Ft
23 Homes For Sale

A welcoming community northwest of Des Moines

“Johnston is an amazing, connected community that has continued to grow,” says Ryan Rohlf. Ryan is Chief Client Advocate, owner and Realtor® with the dsm SOLD Team at Keller Williams Legacy Group. Ryan is also a resident of Johnston and is part of the 2024 Johnston Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “There’s a great mix of people moving in from out of state, as well as young people settling down outside of the Des Moines downtown area.” New constructions and blossoming business districts have turned this sleepy town into a destination 15 miles from Des Moines. With top schools in the Johnston Community Public School District, quiet paved streets and family-friendly parks, many Des Moines families choose Northwest Johnston.

Northwest Johnston is known for it's parks that blend seamlessly into the surrounding homes.
Northwest Johnston is known for it's parks that blend seamlessly into the surrounding homes.
Northwest Johnston is a neighborhood in the thriving Des Moines suburb of Johnston.
Northwest Johnston is a neighborhood in the thriving Des Moines suburb of Johnston.
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New and established suburbs near Beaver Creek Elementary

Ridgedale Heights’ new development on the northwest corner of the neighborhood is brimming with building and buying opportunities. These contemporary, two-story townhomes with three bedrooms are built by Goldstar Townhomes & Villas. They often share walls and are priced around $250,000. Single-family Craftsman and modern ranch-style homes with three or more bedrooms cost around $350,000 or more. Ridgedale Heights is also part of a homeowners’ association, with an estimated $175 annual fee. Established suburban homes without HOAs in the Beaver Creek Elementary School zone have been valued at over $400,000, with large driveways, two-car garages, and generally spacious backyards.

Larger New Traditional homes can be found in the neighborhood surrounding Beaver Creek School.
Larger New Traditional homes can be found in the neighborhood surrounding Beaver Creek School.
Newer contemporary Craftsman homes can be found on the northwest side of the neighborhood.
Newer contemporary Craftsman homes can be found on the northwest side of the neighborhood.
Several townhome communities give Northwest Johnston residents a low-maintenance living option.
Several townhome communities give Northwest Johnston residents a low-maintenance living option.
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Top-rated Johnston Community Public Schools

Students attending Beaver Creek Elementary School can walk or bike to school, while Summit Middle School, for grades six and seven, sits just 2 miles south. Johnston Senior High School, with a nationally ranked show choir, has ten tennis courts, a soccer field and the Dragon Stadium football field. All three schools scored an A-minus on Niche and are considered some of the top schools in the Johnston Community School District. Johnston Middle School, for eighth and ninth grade, scores an A on Niche and is home to the Johnston High School softball fields.

Beaver Creek Elementary School is a public school in Johnston, IA.
Beaver Creek Elementary School is a public school in Johnston, IA.
Welcome to Summit Middle School in Southwest Johnston.
Welcome to Summit Middle School in Southwest Johnston.
Johnston Middle School entrance.
Johnston Middle School entrance.
Johnston Senior High School entrance.
Johnston Senior High School entrance.
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Green Days at Terra Park

Johnston Town Center is home to the Johnston City Hall and The Yard, an open green gathering space with a stage for live music and a splash pad for cooling down on hot days. During winter months, weather permitting, the Johnston Commons offers a public ice rink and the annual Kites on the Green family event in May. In early June, Terra Park hosts the Johnston Green Days alongside the Johnston Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a weekend festival and town celebration with a business expo kickoff, carnival rides and food vendors,” Rohlf says.

Food and fun on Merle Hay Road

“We have seen restaurants grow in Johnston as well,” Rohlf says. “One great example is Wasabi CHI - they just recently had their ribbon cutting with the Chamber as they moved into a larger space.” Flame the Taqueria is a unique restaurant with tasty street tacos. For an evening out, Trostel’s Greenbriar is an upscale restaurant with signature steaks like their gunpowder ribeye and slow-roasted prime rib. For a quick meal, Charlotte’s Kitchen offers chicken sandwiches, root beer floats and French fries – both from their dine-in location and the Charlotte’s Kitchen food truck. On 86th Street is Jethro's BBQ n' Pork Chop Grill, a popular restaurant and bar with six other locations around the Des Moines metropolitan area. “In late March or early April, Van Dee’s Ice Cream Shoppe opens up. It's definitely a Johnston staple,” Rohlf says. Van Dee’s serves sundaes, soft-serve ice cream, burgers and sandwiches.

Jethro's BBQ n' Pork Chop Grill is a favorite restaurant of Northwest Johnston residents.
Jethro's BBQ n' Pork Chop Grill is a favorite restaurant of Northwest Johnston residents.
Trostel's Greenbriar is an old-school, family-run restaurant serving up upscale American classic
Trostel's Greenbriar is an old-school, family-run restaurant serving up upscale American classic
There is always a line at Van Dee's Ice Cream, a classic seasonal ice cream stand on Merle Hay.
There is always a line at Van Dee's Ice Cream, a classic seasonal ice cream stand on Merle Hay.
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Fishing, walking, and biking around Northwest Johnston

Pointe Vista Park offers open green spaces and long sidewalk trails. The park includes a basketball court, and the on-site playground is near a small lake. Northwest Johnston is near Terra Park, which hosts annual festivals and includes walking trails, a playground and modern art. Rent kayaks and paddle around Terra Lake, or fish from the dock. "Johnston also includes access to the Neal Smith Trail, the Sycamore Trail and the Trestle Trail," Rohlf says. "Johnston also has access to the first portion of the ICON Water Trails project. This provides access to the Des Moines River for kayaking, canoeing and tubing."

Pointe Vista Park features a scenic lake that is beautiful in all seasons
Pointe Vista Park features a scenic lake that is beautiful in all seasons
Pointe Vista Park Playground
Pointe Vista Park Playground
The many trails throughout Northwest Johnston encourage getting out for walks with furry friends
The many trails throughout Northwest Johnston encourage getting out for walks with furry friends
Northwest Johnston's several parks often contain playgrounds, green space, and sport courts.
Northwest Johnston's several parks often contain playgrounds, green space, and sport courts.
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Easy commutes on Interstate 235

Both businesses and housing are beginning to boom in Northwest Johnston, but it’s still easy to get around. Northwest Johnston “is right off the interstate,” Rohlf says. “It’s easy to get around if you are trying to get from the suburbs to Des Moines, and everything else is usually just a 10-to-30-minute drive.” Most residents in Northwest Johnston get around on Interstate 235 or travel up and down Merle Hay Road for everyday errands. 86th Street is becoming a popular commercial spot for businesses looking to put down roots, and 62nd Avenue connects it with Merle Hay Road.

Johnston’s riverways and lakes

Beaver Creek on the east side of town, though picturesque, has been reported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as impacted by bacteria that may make it unsafe for swimming and boating. Likewise, the EPA has listed Saylorville Reservoir as being impacted due to murky waters.

Shelby Sullivan
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Shelby Sullivan
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Schools

Source:
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 Lisa Li, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Des Moines International

28 min drive

Bus

NW 100th St & Catalina Dr, Jst

Bus

NW 62nd Ave & NW 94th St (Far-Side), Jst

Bus

NW 62nd Ave & NW 100th St (Far-Side), Jst

Bus

NW 62nd Ave & Crescent Chase (Far-Side), Jst

Bus

NW 100th St & Ashton Dr, Jst

Bus

NW 62nd Ave & NW 106th St, Jst

Bus

NW 62nd Ave & John Deere Financial, Jst

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Northwest Johnston US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 2 4
Burglary 2 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$374,000
Median Single Family Price
$394,990
Median Townhouse Price
$235,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$235,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$207
Number of Homes for Sale
23
Last 12 months Home Sales
59
Months of Supply
4.70
Median List Price
$377,450
Median Discount From 1st List Price
3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-7%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,339
Median Year Built
2003
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,209
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,423
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
1,270
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,196

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Lisa Li, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
4,486
Median Age
36
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
28.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.5%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$152,889
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$183,773

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.1%
College Graduates
67.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.5%
% Population in Labor Force
90.3%
Significantly above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
11°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
30''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

21 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

7 / 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.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Northwest Johnston