What is the median home price in Grimes Iowa?

The median home price in Grimes, Iowa is approximately $295,000 as of December 2025. Prices have increased about 5.2% year-over-year. Grimes offers excellent value compared to neighboring suburbs like Waukee and Ankeny, where similar homes cost $50K-$80K more.

What school district serves Grimes Iowa?

Grimes is served by the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District (DC-G), which consistently earns 8-9/10 ratings across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The district has a 92%+ graduation rate and is expanding facilities and programs as the community grows.

Why is Grimes Iowa growing so fast?

Grimes has grown over 150% since 2010 because it offers affordable new construction homes, excellent schools, and a family-friendly atmosphere at prices significantly lower than Waukee, West Des Moines, or Ankeny. First-time buyers and young families can afford newer, larger homes in Grimes.

Is Grimes Iowa a good place for first-time home buyers?

Yes! Grimes is excellent for first-time buyers due to affordable prices ($295K median), abundant new construction inventory, modern homes with lower maintenance, competitive insurance rates, and strong appreciation potential as the community continues growing.

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📈 Fastest Growing

Grimes, Iowa

Affordable Growth • Family-Friendly • New Construction

15K+ Population

$295K Median Price

8.5/10 School Rating

+150% Growth

Welcome to Grimes

Where affordable meets family-friendly in the Des Moines metro

Small Town Charm, Big City Access

Grimes has transformed from a quiet farming community of just 5,000 residents in 2000 to a thriving suburb of over 15,000 today. Despite this rapid growth, Grimes has maintained its small-town character — friendly neighbors, community events, and a genuine sense of belonging.

What makes Grimes special is the value proposition: you get excellent Dallas Center-Grimes schools, modern homes, safe neighborhoods, and a tight-knit community feel at prices significantly lower than Waukee, West Des Moines, or Ankeny.

For first-time buyers, young families, and anyone looking to maximize their housing dollar, Grimes delivers affordable new construction homes with easy access to downtown Des Moines (20 minutes) and West Des Moines (15 minutes).

                    Quick Facts
                    County: Polk & Dallas
ZIP Code: 50111
School District: Dallas Center-Grimes
Founded: 1894
Growth: +150% since 2010
Median Income: $82,000
Crime Rate: Very low
To Des Moines: 20 minutes

                

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 15,000+ Residents & Growing

🏠 $295K Median Home Price

📚 8.5/10 School Rating

📈 150% Population Growth

📈 The Grimes Growth Story

Grimes is one of Iowa's fastest-growing communities, and for good reason. As housing prices in Waukee, Ankeny, and West Des Moines climbed, families discovered Grimes offered the same quality of life at better prices. This triggered a building boom that shows no signs of slowing.

Why Developers Love Grimes: Plenty of available land, business-friendly city government, strong school district attracting families, proximity to Des Moines without the premium price tag, and growing demand from first-time buyers priced out of more expensive suburbs.

New Development Areas: Much of Grimes' growth is concentrated in new subdivisions on the north and east sides. These neighborhoods feature modern homes built in the 2010s-2020s with open floor plans, attached garages, and energy-efficient systems.

What This Means for Buyers: Lots of inventory! Unlike more established suburbs where you're waiting for someone to list, Grimes offers many choices — both new construction and recently-built resale homes. More options mean better negotiating power.

Investment Potential: Early buyers in Grimes have seen strong appreciation as the community grows. As more amenities arrive (shops, restaurants, services), property values continue rising. Getting in now positions you well for future equity growth.

Dallas Center-Grimes Schools

Consistently strong academic performance and growing programs

Elementary

DC-G Elementary

8-9/10

Multiple campuses

Middle School

DC-G Middle

8/10

Strong academics

High School

DC-G High School

8.5/10

Mustang Pride!

🎓 Academic Strength

Consistent 8-9/10 ratings across grades
92%+ graduation rate
Growing AP and honors programs
Strong college prep focus
New facilities and technology
Expanding as district grows

🏆 Activities & Sports

Competitive athletics (Mustangs)
State championship programs
Band and choir programs
Theater and fine arts
Robotics and STEM clubs
Growing extracurricular options

📚 Growing with the Community

As Grimes grows, so does the school district. Dallas Center-Grimes CSD has invested heavily in new buildings, expanded programs, and additional staff to serve the growing student population. This means your kids benefit from new facilities and modern educational resources.

Grimes Lifestyle & Amenities

Small-town community feel with growing conveniences

🛍️ Shopping & Services

Growing retail and services:

Hy-Vee grocery store
Local shops and boutiques
Banks and professional services
Salons and personal care
Jordan Creek (15 min away)
West Des Moines retail (close)

🍽️ Dining Options

Local restaurants and nearby options:

Local pizza and casual dining
Coffee shops
Fast-casual chains
Food trucks and events
Waukee/WDM dining nearby
Growing restaurant scene

🏞️ Parks & Recreation

Over 15 parks and trails:

Grimes Community Complex
Multiple neighborhood parks
Paved walking/biking trails
Playgrounds throughout
Sports fields and courts
Youth sports leagues

🎉 Community Events

Active community calendar:

Grimes Days (annual festival)
Farmers Market (summer)
Movies in the Park
Halloween events
Holiday celebrations
Youth programs year-round

Grimes Real Estate Market

December 2025 — Strong growth market with excellent value

$295K Median Home Price

↗️ Up 5.2% YoY

26 Days on Market

⚡ Steady Pace

97% Sale to List Price

💪 Balanced Market

💡 Sarah's Market Insights

Grimes offers the best value in the northwest metro — similar homes in Waukee or Ankeny cost $50K-$80K more. The market moves steadily with lots of inventory from ongoing development. First-time buyers love Grimes because they can afford newer, larger homes. New construction dominates, meaning lower maintenance and modern layouts. The 5.2% annual appreciation outpaces inflation while staying sustainable. Buyers have negotiating power since there's competition among builders and sellers. Location near Highway 141 provides easy commutes. Get in now before Grimes prices catch up to neighboring communities.

⚠️ Insurance Considerations for Grimes Homes

As a property insurance expert with 10+ years of experience, I help buyers identify potential insurability issues BEFORE making an offer. Here's what to know about Grimes:

✅ Excellent Insurability

Most Grimes homes were built in the 2000s-2020s with modern codes and systems. This means excellent insurability and competitive rates. Carriers love newer homes!

🌪️ Iowa Weather Considerations

Like all of Iowa, Grimes experiences severe weather. Hail damage is the primary concern. Good news: newer roofs (post-2015) typically have good warranties and are in great shape.

💧 Minimal Flood Risk

Grimes sits on elevated ground with good drainage. Flood insurance rarely required. Some areas near creeks may need review, but most neighborhoods are clear.

🏗️ New Construction Benefits

Buying new construction? You get builder warranties PLUS insurance rates 15-25% lower than older homes. Modern systems mean fewer claims and better premiums.

💰 Competitive Rates

Expect $900-$1,300/year for typical Grimes home ($295K value). Newer homes = lower rates. Shop multiple carriers — rates vary 20-30% for identical coverage.

✅ Sarah's Pre-Purchase Review

For Grimes buyers, I verify: roof age/condition, HVAC system age, electrical panel capacity, foundation condition, and FEMA flood zone status. Even new construction can have issues!

🎯 Bottom Line for Grimes Buyers

Grimes homes are among the easiest to insure in the metro due to newer construction and good building codes. Budget $900-$1,300/year — significantly less than you'd pay for older homes in other suburbs. My insurance expertise gives you an edge in negotiations!