Moving to or from Ankeny?
Des Moines' fastest-growing suburb — population tripled since 2000 — with top-rated Ankeny Community Schools, major John Deere manufacturing and corporate operations, and a planned-growth approach that has kept Ankeny on 'best places to live' lists.
- 70,000 City population
- 720,000 Metro area
- 1875 Founded
- Des Moines Metro / Polk County Region
Why people move to Ankeny.
- Being one of the fastest-growing mid-sized US cities (population tripled since 2000)
- John Deere Works — a major manufacturing facility employing 4,000+
- Ankeny Community School District — consistently top-rated in Iowa
- Des Moines Area Community College's Ankeny campus
- The Prairie Ridge Sports Complex and extensive recreational amenities
- Uptown Ankeny — the revitalized historic downtown
Ankeny's population has more than tripled since 2000 (from 28,000 to 70,000+), making it one of the fastest-growing mid-sized US cities. The growth is driven by John Deere's massive Works plant (employing 4,000+), top-rated Ankeny Community Schools, and affordable family housing within 20 minutes of downtown Des Moines. The city has stayed on 'best places to live' lists throughout this rapid expansion.
Where people live in Ankeny.
A quick guide to Ankeny's most moved-to neighborhoods.
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Uptown Ankeny (Historic Downtown)
Revitalized core with restaurants, Farmers Market, and preserved buildings
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Prairie Trail
Master-planned community with walkable town center and mixed housing
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Briarwood
Established family neighborhood
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Deer Ridge
Upscale newer subdivision with amenities
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Saylor Creek
Family-oriented master-planned community
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Bondurant
Small adjacent town with rapid growth and similar schools
Where people spend their time in Ankeny.
- Prairie Ridge Sports Complex Central Ankeny
- Uptown Ankeny Historic District Downtown
- Prairie Trail Town Center Central Ankeny
- Iowa Arboretum (nearby Madrid) Madrid
- Saylorville Lake (nearby) Northwest Des Moines
- DMACC Ankeny Campus Central Ankeny
Planning a Ankeny move.
- Ankeny Community Schools drive housing demand significantly; specific school feeder boundaries affect pricing
- Tornado risk is real April-June; most homes have basements functioning as storm shelters
- Winter brings snow and ice; plan weather-buffer days November-March
- Rapid growth has strained infrastructure; expect ongoing road construction and school-district expansions
Moving in Ankeny: FAQ.
Why is Ankeny growing so fast?
Several factors combine: affordable family housing, top-rated Ankeny Community Schools, John Deere's major employment base, and 15-20 minute commute to downtown Des Moines. Remote workers and hybrid professionals have accelerated the growth since 2020. Des Moines-area employers see Ankeny as the preferred suburb for family relocations.
How does Ankeny compare to West Des Moines?
Both are top-tier Des Moines suburbs with excellent schools. West Des Moines is more established and has slightly higher median home prices. Ankeny has more newer construction and greater recent growth. West Des Moines has Jordan Creek Town Center (major retail); Ankeny has more recreational amenities through parks and sports complexes. Many families choose based on specific school feeders and housing stock preferences.
What's the commute to downtown Des Moines?
15-25 minutes south via I-35 or US-69. Traffic is manageable by most metros' standards but has increased with growth. Many Ankeny residents work in Ankeny itself (John Deere, DMACC, healthcare, retail) or in the northwest Des Moines business corridors (Merle Hay, Urbandale) without needing to reach downtown.
Is Ankeny affordable?
Yes, notably. Median home prices run below national averages and offer strong value relative to the top-rated schools and community amenities. The trade-off is increased appreciation as growth continues; inventory is tighter than it used to be. Cost of living in the Des Moines metro overall is among the most affordable in the Midwest for metros of its size.
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