Ankeny, IA

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The charming city of Ankeny is located in Polk County, Iowa, and only 16 minutes away from Des Moines, the state capital, filled with illuminated light skyscrapers and a plethora of entertainment opportunities. 

What was initially an agricultural community in 1875 blossomed into a little town in 1881 with a few houses, a Methodist church, a blacksmith, a school, a depot, and a post office thanks to John Fletcher Ankeny and Sarah Ankeny.

After the first railroad was laid down to Des Moines and the Second World War, the city began to flourish and established its many schools, colleges, and a thriving business environment.

Today, Ankeny is one of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa and offers many parks, recreational and healthcare facilities, and business and educational opportunities.

Education

One of the largest in the state, the Ankeny Public School District serves most of the city and educates more than 12,000 students. It consists of sixteen schools and uses a grading structure ranging from K5-12. It boasts a 96.4 percent graduation rate and has a variety of accolades, such as the Newsweek and College Board.

The community school district supports the split high system that the city follows and is carried out by various elementary schools and high schools.

The Des Moines Community College serves the city along with a couple of private universities, such as the Faith Bible College.

Homes for Sale in Ankeny

Climate

Summers in Ankeny tend to be warm and humid, while winters are dry, windy, and cold. Despite being on the warmer side, the city experiences 36 inches of rain and 28 inches of snow.

The pleasant months in the city are August and September, while June and July are the least pleasant with 94.2-degree temperatures.

December and January have the coldest lows, with temperatures dropping to 12 degrees. Despite experiencing some form of precipitation 106 days per year, Ankeny’s residents also enjoy 204 sunny days, with most being beautiful days with soft clouds.

Public Transportation

The city is served by the Ankeny Regional Airport, a non-commercial airport and the third busiest in the state, which also acts as a relief airport for the Des Moines International Airport.

DART or the Des Moines Area Regional Transit serves as a mode of public transit and provides an express bus route linking the city and Des Moines. The route has stops at the High Trestle Trail and the Ankeny High School and provides shuttle services throughout the city.

Living in Ankeny

The charming city of Ankeny spans over 30 square miles and has a population of 67,355 residents that enjoy its dense suburban living. The city is home to a plethora of picturesque parks, trails, and leisure facilities that never fails to please its residents.

It’s thriving downtown offers many cultural and entertainment facilities, along with big city amenities, with the ambiance of a small town. Boasting a stable economy, the city lies in the Des Moines region, which is home to more than 60 company headquarters and agricultural businesses.

Employment opportunities are in abundance, with many booming businesses that function in the field of agriculture and technology. Moreover, the city also has a low unemployment rate of 2.5 percent and positive future job growth.

The average home rate in Ankeny is $254,000, and the median rent value is $1,074, which is higher than the Iowa average. However, the utilities and standard of life offer compensation for its higher price.

Things to Do in Ankeny

Ankeny has no shortage of things to offer to its residents. Surrounded by picturesque greenery, lush parks, and trails, be prepared to stay fit and be on the move with walks, biking, or hiking.

You can enjoy delicious food in the many restaurants or head to the Firetruck Brewery for craft beers in various unique flavors. Stop by the Ankeny Historical Society to explore historical artifacts or the Ankeny Art Center to revel in the gallery of local artists’ work.

Head to the many parks and set up a family picnic for the day or refresh yourself at the Cascade Falls Aquatic Center packed with slides, pools, a surf machine, and a lazy river. If drama interests you, you can also catch a play at the Ankeny Community Theatre.