Golf course communities and mixed-use development in a quiet Des Moines suburb
A southernmost suburb of the Des Moines metro area, Norwalk neighbors Des Moines International Airport to the north and Iowa farmland to the south. Residents of midcentury homes, brand-new subdivisions and golf course communities here often drive to neighboring Des Moines and West Des Moines for broad-scale shopping and office jobs. "As the Metro area grows, Norwalk still has that quiet, small-town feel, though it's also growing very quickly," says Matt Fuelberth, a Realtor with Iowa Realty and host of the YouTube channel Life in Des Moines. "Anybody who desires this pace of life and style of living is removed from a lot of the business of the city." There are more businesses coming, however, as Norwalk Central – a mixed-use mega-development in Norwalk's heart – finishes new commercial and residential development along with an indoor sports facility, baseball fields and a park with a band shell.
Homes on the northeast side of Norwalk back up to Echo Valley Country Club.
Softball, soccer, and baseball all have their time to shine at Norwalk-McAninch Sports Complex.
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Norwalk subdivisions on green fairways or quiet streets
The median price in Norwalk is $330,000 – lower than the national average but higher than both Des Moines and West Des Moines. "The Lakewood neighborhood off of Lake Colechester is a small community very close to the rest of Des Moines," Fuelberth says. "It's a unique place in Des Moines to find those older homes with a lot of character in an affordable price range." At the higher end of the community, larger homes are available in subdivisions like Silverado Estates, Echo Valley Estates and The Legacy, a golf course community with a neighborhood pool and clubhouse.
Norwalk waterfront homes on Lake Colechester complete with docks.
Ranches and split-level homes make up the established neighborhoods in Norwalk.
Norwalk features many new construction homes and neighborhoods.
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Recreation for all seasons in Norwalk
Summers in Norwalk are hot and humid while winter temperatures dip below freezing. Norwalk Parks & Recreation maintains indoor and outdoor facilities for all times of year. Billy O Phillips Park is just one of several neighborhood playgrounds anchoring residential areas. Community garden plots are available for rent at Brownie Park. The Norwalk Aquatic Center is a large public pool with a waterslide, and an ice-skating rink on North Avenue opens on cold winter days.
Complimenting the baseball and softball fields at McAninch Sports Complex is the City State Bank Norwalk Fieldhouse, which opened in August 2024 as part of growing Norwalk Central. Facilities include four multipurpose courts, a two-lane indoor track and lounge areas for community programming. Other new parks will arrive at this core development in the coming years. Norwalk also has two regionally popular golf courses: private Echo Valley Country Club and public Legacy Golf Club.
The modern playground equipment at Billy O'Phillips Park is a huge hit with children.
Neighbors gather at the Starkweather Shelter in Billy O'Phillips Park.
The log-cabin-themed playground of Windflower Park harkens back to the city's origins.
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The Norwalk Community School District
Norwalk Community School District scores a B from Niche and encompasses a five-school pathway, from Oviatt Elementary School for prekindergarten through first grade to Norwalk Senior High School. Small portions of the city fall within Des Moines or West Des Moines school zones. Regardless of district, all high schools offer dual enrollment credits at Des Moines Area Community College, which has campuses in Des Moines and West Des Moines.
Oviatt Elementary School serves Norwalk students in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade.
Lakewood Elementary School is located in Norwalk IA.
Norwalk Middle School serves local students in grades 6-8.
Norwalk High School serves students in grades 9-12.
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Sunset Drive commerce and more shopping in neighboring cities
Small shopping centers and chains like Scooter's Coffee join churches and medical offices along Sunset Drive, a four-lane road that traces through the heart of Norwalk. Fareway Meat and Grocery is the only grocery store in the city, and locals head to other main drags like U.S. Route 69 on Des Moines' south side for more supermarket options. Jordan Creek Town Center, the largest shopping complex in the state, is about 13 miles northwest in West Des Moines, and residents may also head to Downtown Des Moines, Ingersoll Avenue or East Village for more shopping. Still in development, Hughes Century Crossing is the future retail piece of Norwalk Central. Blueprints show a commercial town center with a mix of single-family homes and medium and high-density residential.
The sizzling fajitas are a head-turner at El Dorado in Norwalk.
Many TVs and great food keep Norwalk residents coming back to 1908 Draught House.
A brand new Fareway is open along Sunset Dr right in the middle of town.
The staff of Cappel's Ace Hardware have the knowledge to serve Norwalk residents well.
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Routes to Des Moines International Airport and throughout the metro area
Though Norwalk is outside the reach of the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority bus system, the city is about 10 miles from Downtown Des Moines by car and just 6 miles south of Des Moines International Airport. A new terminal will partially open in 2026, and construction near the site may slow commute times. Norwalk residents can reach downtown Des Moines, the airport or medical centers in nearby cities without exiting onto the highway. However, Interstate 35 is an access point for the metro area's Urban Loop freeway system. Norwalk is also a recent addition to the Des Moines area's regional network of bike trails, with the 2-mile Great Western Trail connection opened in 2021.
Tracking crime and natural disasters in Norwalk
According to an annual report from the Norwalk Police Department, crimes against persons decreased by 10% in 2023, while crimes against property increased by about 80% in the same period. Both remain well below state and national rates. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration counts 48 tornado events in Warren County since 1950; an EF4 tornado in March 2022 made headlines for property damage on Norwalk's outer edge. The city tests its eight outdoor warning sirens on the first Saturday of each month at noon.
First... if you are searching for the best community in the metro or the pros and cons of each area, check out my Youtube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMDnslJ-iDbz_1OLYk1Moyw
Darson is a father of three boys and husband to his beautiful wife. He’s had W2 jobs, side businesses, contract work, and now the job that fits all his wants and needs: Realtor. He’s found a need for a real estate agent that can articulate the financial impact of a real estate purchase or sale on an individual’s net worth statement. He’s an agent that will dig deep into a client’s current situation and help them uncover what their next best purchase may be. From finding a property that cashflows in an appreciating neighborhood, an acreage outside of town to grow a family, or a condo downtown to experience the Des Moines culture, his team and he will help you find exactly what you are looking for.
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.
