Section Image

Polk

Polk

Rural Neighborhood in Iowa

Polk County 50156, 50226

$410,779 Average Value
$268 Average Price per Sq Ft
34 Homes For Sale

Serene suburban living just outside of Des Moines

Neatly tucked by Saylorville Lake and Big Creek Lake, Polk is a neighborhood in Polk City, which is a is a fast-growing city north of Des Moines. Enveloped by the waters, this is a community that enjoys outdoor recreation and spending time in nature. Polk is also home to the city’s town square, with schools, parks, restaurants and lots of new construction filling the landscape. “Polk City is rapidly growing with new developments and more exclusive neighborhoods,” says Ryan Rohlf, Chief Client Advocate and Realtor at Keller Williams Legacy Group. “I have homebuyers who specifically want to move to Polk because it’s close to the lakes, the nature trails and the golf course.”

Polk City is a small town that is close-knit, yet just outside the big city.
Polk City is a small town that is close-knit, yet just outside the big city.
Polk City is nestled along the eastern bank of Saylorville Lake.
Polk City is nestled along the eastern bank of Saylorville Lake.
1/2

New developments throughout Polk City

Here, residents of Polk enjoy the quiet, tranquil lifestyle of a suburban community. “People like it here as Polk has a small-town feel, and it’s still in the greater metro area of Des Moines without being in the busier parts of town,” Rohlf adds. Much of the neighborhood's new properties were built within the past two decades, featuring Colonial Revival, ranch-style and Tudor Revival homes decorated by moonstones and stucco exteriors. Single-family houses tend to be about 1,300 to 1,800 square feet, and are priced between $350,000 and around $750,000. The streets are lined by young trees and sidewalks, and grassy lawns add a serene finish to the suburban outlook. In the more developed areas of the town, one will find modest bungalows and ranch-style homes from the early 1900s. Sized at around 1,000 square feet, these older properties go for around $250,000.

Older Polk City homes sometimes have a finished attic space.
Older Polk City homes sometimes have a finished attic space.
Newer Colonial Revival homes are a popular style built in the last 20 years.
Newer Colonial Revival homes are a popular style built in the last 20 years.
Large ranches in different styles and colors can be found in a few Polk City neighborhoods.
Large ranches in different styles and colors can be found in a few Polk City neighborhoods.
1/3

North Polk Community School District

Families also take pride in the area’s school district. Area primary centers, North Polk West Elementary School and North Polk Central Elementary School, receive an A and an A-minus Niche rating, respectively. North Polk Middle School gets an A, and North Polk High School has a B-plus Niche score. North Polk High has a Silver Cord community service program and partners with Des Moines Area Community College to provide students with opportunities to earn college credits while in high school.

Entrance to North Polk West Elementary School.
Entrance to North Polk West Elementary School.
Big Creek Elementary School is a brand new school in Polk, only just opening in 2022.
Big Creek Elementary School is a brand new school in Polk, only just opening in 2022.
North Polk Central Elementary School
North Polk Central Elementary School
Welcome to North Polk Middle School.
Welcome to North Polk Middle School.
North Polk High School in Alleman is about 15 minutes east of Polk City.
North Polk High School in Alleman is about 15 minutes east of Polk City.
1/5

Navigating Polk

While some parts of the city are bikeable, Polk remains a car-dependent neighborhood and residents need to drive for commutes and errands. Hop on Iowa Highway 415 or Interstate 35 for about 18 miles to commute into downtown Des Moines, and about 22 miles to the Des Moines International Airport. Interstate 80 leads into Chicago and greater Illinois.

Restaurants by Polk City Town Square

Polk City Town Square’s vicinity is home to many local restaurants such as Rising Sun Café and Papa’s Pizzeria. Residents go to Fareway for daily groceries, and Target is about 10 miles away in Ankeny. Marle Hay Mall, which is about 13 miles south in Des Moines, has over 90 stores and restaurants, a movie theater and a bowling alley for entertainment.

Papa's Pizzeria serves up delicious thin and thick crust pizza on the Polk City Square.
Papa's Pizzeria serves up delicious thin and thick crust pizza on the Polk City Square.
Residents of Polk City love the convenience of having a Fareway Grocery in their town.
Residents of Polk City love the convenience of having a Fareway Grocery in their town.
Polk City residents flock to Rising Sun Cafe for homemade breakfast and lunch.
Polk City residents flock to Rising Sun Cafe for homemade breakfast and lunch.
1/3

Polk City Parks & Recreation

Polk City has eight parks nestled throughout the city. Small pocket parks include Kiwanis Park, Morse Family Park, Miller Park and Doc Simmer Memorial Park; each park comes with a mix of playgrounds, sports facilities, walking trails and green space. Marina Cove Park has a fishing pond, and the Polk City Sports Complex has soccer, baseball and softball fields and batting cages. Big Creek State Park has a paved, 27-mile-long Neil Smith Trail, a large beach, and Big Creek Lake is popular for fishing, swimming and boating. Alternatively, residents can spend a day relaxing on Oak Grove Beach, providing direct access to Saylorville Lake, which is another attraction for canoeing, river fishing, hunting and hiking. Golf aficionados will also appreciate the expansive golf course of the Tournament Club of Iowa, or play disc golf at the 18-hole Big Creek Disc Golf Course. The 26-mile paved High Trestle Trail is also close by for hikes through Iowa's natural landscape.

Big Creek Lake is an 814-acre lake with amazing fishing, boat ramps, and a large beach complex.
Big Creek Lake is an 814-acre lake with amazing fishing, boat ramps, and a large beach complex.
Spend a day by the pond at Marina Cove Park in Polk.
Spend a day by the pond at Marina Cove Park in Polk.
Many of Polk City's parks have sport courts, green space, and pavilions.
Many of Polk City's parks have sport courts, green space, and pavilions.
Saylorville Lake sits just to the west of Polk City and offers fishing and boating opportunities
Saylorville Lake sits just to the west of Polk City and offers fishing and boating opportunities
The Tournament Club of Iowa is one of the state's most prestigious and challenging golf courses.
The Tournament Club of Iowa is one of the state's most prestigious and challenging golf courses.
1/5

Community events in Polk City

Recognized as the city’s flagship celebration, the Four Seasons Festivals is held annually in July with family-friendly activities, food and live shows. Polk City’s fall festival features train rides, pumpkin painting, face painting and seasonal treats from local vendors. Winter holiday events include the Light Up Polk City lighting ceremony and the Letters to Santa activity. Notable events in Des Moines include the Iowa State Fair and the World Food and Music Festival.

Christina Xu
Written By
Christina Xu
Jahlil Harris
Video By
Jahlil Harris

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

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 Shane Torres, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Des Moines International

43 min drive

Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$414,829
Median Single Family Price
$423,990
Median Townhouse Price
$214,900
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$212,450
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$268
Number of Homes for Sale
34
Last 12 months Home Sales
110
Months of Supply
3.70
Median List Price
$418,850
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-2%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,869
Median Year Built
2002
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,625
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,369
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,042
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
1,281
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,632

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 Shane Torres, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
6,970
Median Age
38
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
30.9%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$142,203
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$156,908

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99%
College Graduates
45.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.4%
% Population in Labor Force
86.8%
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®

22 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

5 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Polk neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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
Polk