Living in Ankeny, Iowa: What to Know Before You Move
Thinking about moving to Ankeny, Iowa?
Whether you're relocating to Central Iowa, moving out of Des Moines or simply trying to decide which metro community is right for you, Ankeny is likely to come up during your search.
And for good reason.
Located on the north side of the Des Moines metro, Ankeny has grown significantly over the past several decades. The city's 2024 Special Census counted 76,207 residents, making Ankeny Iowa's fifth-largest city.
But population numbers don't tell you what it's actually like to live here.
From commuting and housing to trails, shopping and the different areas of town, here's what you should know before moving to Ankeny, Iowa.
Where Is Ankeny, Iowa?
Ankeny sits just north of Des Moines in Polk County, which makes its location one of the city's biggest draws.
You're close enough to Des Moines to commute into the metro while still having plenty of shopping, restaurants, recreation and everyday amenities within Ankeny itself.
Access to I-35 makes getting around Central Iowa relatively convenient. The city also sits near the I-35/I-80 corridor, and Ames is approximately 20 miles north.
That location makes Ankeny worth considering for people who work in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ames or elsewhere in the metro.
Of course, your actual commute will depend heavily on where you live in Ankeny and where you're headed each day.
Ankeny Is Growing—A Lot
If you visited Ankeny 15 or 20 years ago, today's city may look very different.
Ankeny's population grew from 27,117 in 2000 to 76,207 in the 2024 Special Census. The city added more than 8,000 residents between the 2020 Census and 2024 alone.
That growth is visible throughout the community.
You'll find established neighborhoods with mature trees alongside large areas of newer development. New homes, businesses, roads and amenities have continued to expand outward as the city has grown.
That's something to consider when choosing where in Ankeny you want to live.
Some buyers love being near newer development and amenities. Others prefer established neighborhoods closer to the center of town.
What Are Homes Like in Ankeny?
One of the advantages of buying a home in Ankeny is the variety.
Depending on your budget and what you're looking for, you may find:
Older homes in established neighborhoods
Ranch homes
Two-story homes
Split-level and split-foyer homes
Townhomes
Bi-attached homes
Acreage-style properties near the edges of town
New construction
Luxury homes
Homes with finished basements
Communities with association-maintained properties
There's no single "Ankeny house."
That also means two homes at the same price point can offer very different things depending on their age, location, condition and features.
If you're moving from another state or even another Iowa community, working with someone who knows the different areas of Ankeny can help you understand what your budget may get you.
New Construction Is a Big Part of the Ankeny Market
If you're interested in building or buying something newer, you'll likely encounter plenty of new construction during your Ankeny home search.
As Ankeny has expanded, residential development has continued in multiple parts of the city.
New construction can be appealing if you want modern layouts, newer mechanical systems and finishes, or simply don't want to take on as many immediate updates.
But don't assume new construction is automatically the right choice.
Compare:
Lot size
Finished square footage
Basement finish
Landscaping
Window treatments
Appliances
Fencing
Association dues
Property taxes
Included finishes
Location
Future development around the neighborhood
An existing home may offer more finished space, mature landscaping or a more established neighborhood at a similar price point.
And remember that you can have your own real estate agent represent you when purchasing new construction.
Getting Around Ankeny
Where you live within Ankeny can make a noticeable difference in your daily routine.
I-35 runs along the east side of the city, making eastern and southeastern Ankeny particularly convenient for some commuters.
Other major roads help connect different parts of town and provide routes toward Des Moines, Polk City, Johnston and surrounding communities.
Before buying, don't just look at the home's address on a map.
Drive your potential commute.
Go to the grocery store.
See how long it takes to get to I-35.
Visit the neighborhood during the time of day you'd normally be coming and going.
A home that's technically only a few miles from work can feel very different depending on your daily route.
Shopping and Restaurants
One of the conveniences of living in Ankeny is that you don't necessarily have to drive into Des Moines for everyday needs.
Retail and restaurants are spread throughout the city, but you'll find particularly large concentrations around Delaware Avenue and Prairie Trail.
The District at Prairie Trail
The District at Prairie Trail has become one of Ankeny's major dining, shopping and entertainment areas.
It's designed as a walkable mixed-use destination with restaurants, shops, entertainment and public spaces.
Prairie Trail itself also includes a mixture of residential areas, parks, trails and commercial development.
Uptown Ankeny
Uptown offers a different atmosphere.
This older part of Ankeny features local businesses and community gathering spaces and is also home to the Ankeny Market & Pavilion, commonly called AMP.
AMP sits along the High Trestle Trail and hosts the Ankeny Uptown Farmers Market along with other community activities.
If being close to local businesses and community events appeals to you, this may be an area you'll want to explore.
Ankeny Has an Extensive Trail System
If you like walking, running or biking, Ankeny's trail system is worth knowing about.
The City of Ankeny reports more than 100 miles of paved multi-use trails, connecting neighborhoods, parks, schools and destinations throughout the city. The system also provides connections to regional trails including the High Trestle Trail, Gay Lea Wilson Trail and Neal Smith Trail.
This is one of those features that's easy to overlook when you're focused on bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage.
If trails are important to you, ask about access when you're comparing neighborhoods. In some areas, you may be able to connect to the trail system right from your neighborhood.
Parks and Recreation
Ankeny also has a substantial parks and recreation system.
The city reports more than 600 acres of parkland and 40+ parks, along with facilities including Prairie Ridge Sports Complex, The Rally Complex, Otter Creek Golf Course, aquatic centers, Miracle Park and the Ankeny Dog Park.
There are also youth and adult sports, recreation programs, aquatic activities and community events offered throughout the year.
If access to a particular park, sports complex or trail matters to you, include that in your home search criteria just like you would commute or garage size.
What About Schools?
Ankeny is primarily served by the Ankeny Community School District.
If school attendance boundaries are important to your home search, don't assume a particular school based solely on an Ankeny mailing address or what someone tells you during a showing.
Boundaries can change as communities grow.
Verify the current attendance information directly with the school district before purchasing a home if a particular school is important to your decision.
It's also worth remembering that school district and city boundaries aren't always identical, particularly when you're looking at properties near the edges of growing metro communities.
Not Every Part of Ankeny Feels the Same
This is one of the biggest things we tell buyers who aren't familiar with the area.
Don't decide whether you like "Ankeny" after driving through one neighborhood.
Different parts of town can offer very different housing styles and surroundings.
You may prefer:
Established neighborhoods with mature trees and older homes.
Newer developments with newer construction and modern floor plans.
Prairie Trail if proximity to The District, parks, trails and mixed-use development appeals to you.
Northeast or northwest Ankeny if you're looking at some of the city's expanding residential areas.
Southeast Ankeny if convenient access to I-35 and Delaware Avenue amenities is important.
There's no universally "best" part of Ankeny.
The better question is:
Which part of Ankeny fits the way you want to live?
Don't Forget About Property Taxes
When you're comparing homes, don't focus only on the purchase price.
Property taxes can have a significant impact on your monthly housing payment.
Two similarly priced homes can have different tax amounts depending on factors such as assessed value and applicable taxing districts.
New construction deserves particular attention because the taxes shown on a listing may not always reflect what you'll eventually pay once the completed home is fully assessed.
Your lender can help you understand how taxes and homeowners insurance affect your estimated monthly payment.
Iowa Winters Are Part of the Deal
If you're moving to Ankeny from a warmer climate, yes—you'll need to prepare for winter.
Snow, ice and freezing temperatures are normal parts of living in Central Iowa.
When shopping for a home, think about winter maintenance too.
A long driveway may look great in June but will need to be cleared in January.
A three-car garage may suddenly become much more appealing.
You'll also want to learn about winterizing exterior faucets, irrigation systems and other parts of your home before temperatures drop.
And if you're moving here during the winter, keep weather in mind when planning movers and your closing timeline.
Ankeny Isn't Your Only Option
If you're relocating to the area, don't automatically assume Ankeny is the only community you should consider.
Depending on your commute, budget and lifestyle, you may also want to look at communities such as:
Polk City
Huxley
Ames
Johnston
Elkhart
Alleman
Slater
Other Des Moines metro communities
For example, someone commuting north and south may have different priorities than someone who works in downtown Des Moines every day.
A buyer who wants more land may also search very differently from someone who wants to be within minutes of restaurants and shopping.
Exploring several communities can help you determine whether Ankeny really is the best fit—or whether somewhere nearby fits you even better.
Is Ankeny, Iowa a Good Place to Live?
That depends on what you're looking for.
Ankeny's continued growth, location within the Des Moines metro, housing options, parks, trail system and access to everyday amenities are some of the reasons people consider moving here. In 2026, U.S. News & World Report ranked Ankeny No. 4 on its list of Best Places to Live in the U.S. and No. 1 in Iowa.
But rankings shouldn't decide where you live.
Spend some time here.
Drive through different neighborhoods. Grab coffee. Go out for dinner. Walk a trail. Test your commute. Look at homes in a few different parts of town.
The goal isn't simply to determine whether Ankeny is a "good" place to live.
It's to determine whether Ankeny is a good place for you to live.
Thinking About Moving to Ankeny, Iowa?
If you're considering relocating to Ankeny, you don't have to know exactly where you want to live before starting your home search.
That's part of the process.
The Hokel Real Estate Team helps buyers explore Ankeny and the surrounding Central Iowa communities, understand what different price points offer and narrow down which locations make the most sense for their lifestyle and commute.
Whether you're moving across town, relocating from another part of Iowa or coming to Ankeny from another state, we'd be happy to help you get to know the area before you buy.
Thinking about moving to Ankeny? Contact the Hokel Real Estate Team and let's start exploring your options.