When Valley Junction rebranded to West Des Moines after World War II, the small Iowa town sought to change from a reputation defined by waning railcar commerce to one embracing suburban sprawl. Today, highly rated schools and two major shopping destinations drawing traffic from the entire metro area characterize the city. West Des Moines keeps pace with its rapidly expanding neighbors like Waukee and Clive by bolstering its well-equipped park system and adding new projects on the southwest end, from subdivisions to entertainment megaplexes. Several corporate headquarters and college campuses provide stability amidst the expansion. “It’s close to everything,” says Madison Andersen, agent with NextHome Your Way and lifelong Des Moines metro resident. “When people are getting married and want to buy their first house, they ask about West Des Moines first."
Residents can take a stroll thru Knolls Park in West Des Moines.
West Des Moines is the perfect mix of history, progression, and growth.
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From Valley Junction cottages to new construction on the southwest side
The median price for homes in West Des Moines is $310,000—higher than Des Moines, but lower than the national average and nearby suburbs like Clive and Waukee. According to Matt Fuelberth, Realtor with Iowa Realty who hosts the Life in Des Moines, Iowa YouTube channel, West Des Moines’ vastness provides a variety of lifestyles for different people as each neighborhood has its own unique community. “The Historic Valley Junction area has an old, classic downtown Main Street feel, with houses built in the early 1900s, ” he says. Streets of midcentury homes branching off Ashworth Road are also considered the old part of town. "The area had a lot of money at the time, so there are these sprawling houses with mature trees," says Liz Lashier, West Des Moines resident and Realtor with NextHome Your Way. "That's also where you’ll probably find the biggest disparity of prices. You'll have an $800,000 house and a $250,000 house—one’s been fixed up and well-maintained, and one needs a lot replaced.” Condos, townhouses and single-family homes built in the early 2000s are farther west, along with rare listings for estates over $1 million. The newest tract and custom homes are on the outskirts, and the last remaining space to build is on the southwest side towards Norwalk.
Valley Junction is home to quaint and historic homes, many of which are over 100 years old.
Some West Des Moines homes are worth well over $1 million.
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A shopping and dining mecca for the Des Moines metro area
Though the saloons and roundhouses are long gone, Historic Valley Junction remains a cultural mainstay. Storefronts now house antique and vintage stores, art galleries, a cocktail bodega and restaurants. Jordan Creek Town Center is the largest mall in the Des Moines metro with over 150 brands spread across a mixed indoor-outdoor development. Suburban shopping centers are at each corner of West Des Moines, and even these are frequent stops for neighboring communities. “A lot of the places only West Des Moines or maybe Waukee or Ankeny has,” Lashier says, listing Costco and Topgolf as examples. Grocers include several Hy-Vee locations and big-box names like Trader Joe’s, Aldi and Fareway.
Jordan Creek Town Center is Iowa's largest mall and offers something for everyone.
Historic Valley Junction is a shopping and dining destination.
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Highly rated school districts with DMACC college credit opportunities
According to Fuelberth, the school system is a major draw to the area. “A lot of times, people are willing to pay premiums and move to the city for West Des Moines’ top-scoring schools,” he says. Niche gives West Des Moines Community School District an A-minus grade and ranks it the best school district for athletics in Iowa and the ninth best of the 303 districts in the state. School districts based in Norwalk, Winterset and Waukee also serve areas of West Des Moines. Tuition-based Dowling Catholic High School is the main feeder for private grade schools throughout the Des Moines metro area. Most high schools—public or private—offer college credit through Des Moines Area Community College’s Career Advantage program. One of six DMACC campuses is in West Des Moines, as well as Des Moines University, which touts a new campus completed in 2023 as well as a popular Osteopathic Medicine program.
Valley High School is a public high school located in West Des Moines, Iowa.
DMACC West Campus is located in West Des Moines and features a modern, technology-forward building.
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Working in West Des Moines or commuting to nearby cities
Most residents own vehicles, though the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority provides local bus service, and a vast bike trail system connects the entire region. “It used to be that everybody drove downtown for work, but they've moved a lot of the companies out to the suburbs,” Lashier says. Hy-Vee's corporate headquarters, insurance firms like Athene USA Corporation and a Wells Fargo campus are based here. Branches of The Iowa Clinic, MercyOne and UnityPoint Health are tucked against the intersection of Interstates 35, 80 and 235, which lead in all directions throughout the metro. It’s about 9 miles by car to downtown Des Moines, where offices like Principal Financial Group are reopening two to three days a week. A new terminal will open its doors as early as 2026 at Des Moines International Airport, about 10 miles away.
HyVee is one of the area's biggest employers and is headquartered in West Des Moines.
Athene has a beautiful and modern campus west of Jordan Creek Town Center.
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Afternoons at Raccoon River Park and The Grand Experience
The West Des Moines Park District manages over 30 public parks totaling over 1,300 acres. Vast Raccoon River Park unveiled its revamped, fully accessible playground in 2023. Other park amenities include an archery facility, the metro’s largest dog park and waterfront recreation at Blue Heron Lake. Cyclists can travel from neighborhood parks to golf courses to aquatic centers. The Grand Experience, an estimated $400 million project that includes a water park, hotel and conference center complex located next to Des Moines University, is set to break ground in 2025.
Raccoon River Park is an expansive parks with amenities for everyone.
The network of Central Iowa Trails runs through West Des Moines.
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Tracking crime and natural disasters in West Des Moines
FBI statistics show violent crime rates trend significantly lower in West Des Moines compared to national rates. Property crime, however, trends higher rate than the national average. With regard to weather, Anderson says, "We get all four seasons and a pretty brutal winter with a lot of snow. " Residents can sign up for the CodeRED Emergency Notification System, which broadcasts instructions during a natural disaster or other emergency.
Annual festivities in West Des Moines
The Historic Valley Junction Foundation organizes an annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and celebrates the area’s Mexican heritage that harkens back to the city's railroad days. The festival includes live performances, artwork and cultural foods. “They also have a farmers market every Thursday, which is just packed,” Lashier says. Over 80 vendors set up shop from May to September. The St. Jude Children’s Hospital 5k walk kicks off from the DMACC Ankeny campus, cardboard boats race down the waterway during Raccoon River Palooza and hot air balloons float over glittering lights during Illumifest.
Shane began his career in the construction industry after receiving his degree in Carpentry and Business Trade. He took night classes to earn an Associate Degree in Computer Aided Drafting, with an emphasis in Architectural drafting. After a few years building homes, he decided to obtain his real estate license in early 2009. Shane knew he wanted to be under the RE/MAX balloon, and decided on RE/MAX Concepts. As his business began to flourish, he opened an office in Polk City and began adding office staff. Shane built a strong business over the years and also saw an opportunity to become a mentor to other agents. He accepted the offer to become a Broker/Owner with RE/MAX Concepts in 2013, and he became a principal owner of RE/MAX Concepts in September 2016. Shane currently resides in Polk City with his wife and three kids where he is involved with various, local organizations.
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.
