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Southwest Johnston

Southwest Johnston

Suburban Neighborhood in Johnston, Iowa

Polk County 50111, 50131

$365,396 Average Value
$205 Average Price per Sq Ft
18 Homes For Sale

One of Des Moines' earliest planned communities

Southwest Johnston’s peaceful vibes, award-winning schools and modern homes are only a few reasons homebuyers choose its tree-lined streets. “Southwest Johnston is home to some of the earliest master-planned communities in Des Moines, with neighborhoods built around amenities and parks, and walking trails connecting all of the smaller subdivisions,” says JoAnn Manning, a long-time resident and Realtor at Iowa Realty. “As the community has grown, we’ve still managed to maintain that small-town feel."

Quiet streets, shade trees and modern properties

Southwest Johnston has a suburban atmosphere — quiet, concrete streets lined with large trees and homes with green lawns and wide, two-car driveways. Most homes feature outdoor living spaces and built-in fireplaces for the warm summers and long winters, and large attached garages provide plenty of room for cars and toys. Homebuyers choose from various housing options, including townhouses ranging in price from the mid-$100,000s to the high $200,000s. Midcentury-style, Colonial and Contemporary Craftsman are some of the most popular styles, with prices starting in the low $300,000s and peaking in the mid-$500,000s as square footage and acreage grow. Luxury estates on sweeping stretches of land are also available and fall between the high $500,000s and $1 million mark. “Buyers should be patient for the right house to open up,” advises Scott Wendl, a broker with Re/Max Precision. “With that level of variety, it might take a minute to find the perfect house that ticks all the boxes.”

Several split-level homes can be found on the neighborhood streets of Southwest Johnston.
Several split-level homes can be found on the neighborhood streets of Southwest Johnston.
Some homes have a colonial influence in Southwest Johnston.
Some homes have a colonial influence in Southwest Johnston.
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Top schools serve Southwest Johnston students

Students begin their education at Timber Ridge Elementary before advancing to Summit Middle School, which serves students in grades 6 and 7. Both schools have an A-minus rating from Niche. From there, they’ll attend Johnston Middle School, which serves eighth and ninth grade students and has an A rating. Johnston Senior High School ranks among Iowa's top 15 public high schools on Niche’s 2024 List of Best Schools, boasting an A-minus rating and an average SAT score of 1350. Johnston Senior High School graduates regularly attend universities like Iowa State and the University of Iowa.

Timber Ridge Elementary sits on the border of Johnston and Urbandale.
Timber Ridge Elementary sits on the border of Johnston and Urbandale.
Summit Middle School houses grades 6 & 7 and approximately 1,100 students.
Summit Middle School houses grades 6 & 7 and approximately 1,100 students.
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Little League tournaments at Lew Clarkson Park

Lew Clarkson Park is a 55-acre multi-use recreation area on the banks of Beaver Creek featuring playground equipment, sports fields, a disc golf course, walking trails and a covered park shelter. The park hosts the Johnston Little League, and food trucks line the parking lots during weekend tournaments. Adventure Ridge Park is on the community’s western edge, providing playgrounds, walking trails and open fields for sandlot-style baseball and football games. Residents can scale the walls at Climb Iowa, an indoor climbing gym for rock climbers of all ages and skill levels in the neighboring Grimes community.

The many baseball and softball fields of Lew Clarkson Park host little league tournaments.
The many baseball and softball fields of Lew Clarkson Park host little league tournaments.
The disc golf course at Lew Clarkson Park attracts players from all over the metro.
The disc golf course at Lew Clarkson Park attracts players from all over the metro.
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Classic comfort food at Cozy Cafe

Department stores and shopping plazas line the commercial corridors of 86th Street and Highway 141. Fareway Meat and Grocery or Hy-Vee are nearby, and Westfield Plaza offers dozens of options for retail and restaurants alike. Cozy Cafe is a local breakfast favorite, with diner classics and all-day breakfast in its retro dining room. De Rice serves creative Thai and Japanese cuisine, while the Warehouse Pub has a friendly atmosphere with bar games and outdoor seating.

Southwest Johnston residents have access to several nearby grocery options, including HyVee.
Southwest Johnston residents have access to several nearby grocery options, including HyVee.
Jethro's BBQ is a popular Southwest Johnston BBQ destination.
Jethro's BBQ is a popular Southwest Johnston BBQ destination.
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Farmers' markets and fall yoga

Certified instructors lead Yoga by the Lake on Saturday mornings, a free class held in the fall at Terra Lake Amphitheater. The Farmer’s Market in Johnston Town Center features locally grown produce and vegetables, ethically raised meat and eggs, handmade crafts and live music, followed by Movies on the Yard, where residents spread out on blankets to watch movies like "Encanto" and "Top Gun: Maverick" on the big outdoor screen. Johnston Town Center is also home to The Yard Summer Concert Series, a free bi-monthly event featuring local and national acts.

14-mile commute to downtown

Located on the banks of Beaver Creek near Saylorville Lake, Southwest Johnston sits immediately north of Highway 35, providing easy access to Interstate 80 as it passes through Des Moines on its way from Chicago to Omaha. The neighborhood is a 14-mile commute to downtown Des Moines and 12 miles from the Des Moines International Airport.

Southwest Johnston is served by the DART Route 93 Express, with service to Downtown.
Southwest Johnston is served by the DART Route 93 Express, with service to Downtown.
86th Street runs north to south through Southwest Johnston and connects other neighborhoods.
86th Street runs north to south through Southwest Johnston and connects other neighborhoods.
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Phil Keeling
Written By
Phil Keeling
Dylan Stowell
Photography Contributed By
Dylan Stowell
Scott Wiggins
Video By
Scott Wiggins

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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 Andrew Bruellman, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Des Moines International

25 min drive

Bus

NW 86th St & NW 54th Ave, Jst

Bus

NW 62nd Ave & #8800, Jst

Bus

NW 86th St & NW 54th St, Jst

Bus

NW 86th St & Windsor Pkwy, Jst

Bus

Crescent Chase & Stonepointe Ln, Jst

Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$329,900
Median Single Family Price
$383,000
Median Townhouse Price
$250,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$235,750
Median Studio Price
$375,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$205
Number of Homes for Sale
18
Last 12 months Home Sales
149
Months of Supply
1.40
Median List Price
$339,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
12%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,561
Median Year Built
2003
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,999
On par with the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,438
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,513
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
1,450
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,761

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 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
7,957
Median Age
38
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$93,303
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$120,862

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.8%
College Graduates
46.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.9%
% Population in Labor Force
86.3%
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®

33 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

41 / 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
Southwest Johnston