The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 50072 sells for about $375,000, or $185 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 62 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $784 a month.
ZIP 50072 — Earlham
The housing market in ZIP 50072 remains stable, characterized by low inventory and steady demand from local residents and commuters. While price growth has moderated, the area continues to offer an affordable alternative to the denser Des Moines suburbs, supported by a consistent local economy.
This ZIP is best suited for families and commuters who prioritize a quiet, small-town lifestyle while maintaining access to the broader Des Moines job market, as well as investors looking for stable, lower-basis residential assets.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 62 days on market with 6.5 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.2% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.5% · poverty 3.5% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 8.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 50072, Iowa
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Earlham are generally low and consistent with rural Iowa standards, showing no significant upward trend compared to regional averages.
The Earlham Community School District is the primary provider, generally regarded as a stable, small-town district with strong community support and consistent academic performance.
The area faces standard Midwestern climate risks, including seasonal severe thunderstorms and occasional high winds, with flood risks primarily confined to low-lying areas near the Middle River.
Economic momentum is driven by its proximity to the Des Moines metro area, with residents commuting to major employers in West Des Moines and the capital city, while local development remains focused on modest residential expansion.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Iowa) — Iowa Property Tax Assessment Limitation: The taxable value is determined by applying an assessment limitation (rollback) to the assessed market value. The limitation is calculated annually to restrict the growth in aggregate taxable value for the residential class to 3% statewide.
Commuters primarily utilize Interstate 80 to reach the Des Moines employment core, with a typical drive time of approximately 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
Local amenities include the Earlham City Park and proximity to the Middle River for outdoor activities, with more extensive shopping and dining options located about 15-20 minutes east in West Des Moines.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and stable demand, primarily serving local workers and families who prefer a small-town environment over the denser metro core.
The local economy is largely supported by agriculture and small businesses, with a significant portion of the workforce employed in the broader Des Moines metropolitan area.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicles, with Interstate 80 serving as the primary artery for regional connectivity.
Development planning is focused on maintaining the town's small-scale character while accommodating gradual population growth through controlled residential zoning.
Parcels are subject to the Earlham Community School District and standard county-level taxing authorities.
Property insurance premiums are generally stable, though homeowners should account for standard Midwestern weather-related risks.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 50072 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Spare Time Des Moines4.218 mi
- Kids Empire Jordan Creek4.118.3 mi
- The Operating Room West Des Moines4.419.1 mi
- Vibrant Music Hall4.316.2 mi
- Spare Time Des Moines4.218 mi
- The Brenton Arboretum4.815.2 mi
- Mickey's Irish Pub4.516.8 mi
- Valley Community Center4.720 mi
- John Wayne Birthplace Museum4.711.1 mi
- Historic Roseman Covered Bridge4.812.1 mi
- Badger Creek State Recreation Area4.311.4 mi
- Winterset City Park4.711.5 mi
- Historic Hogback Covered Bridge4.87.1 mi
- John Wayne Birthplace Museum4.711.1 mi
- Historic Roseman Covered Bridge4.812.1 mi
- Historic Clark Tower4.812.1 mi
- Historic Holliwell Covered Bridge4.813.4 mi
- Historic Cedar Covered Bridge4.710.1 mi
- Badger Creek State Recreation Area4.311.4 mi
- Winterset City Park4.711.5 mi
- Pammel State Park4.612.2 mi
- Kuehn Conservation Area4.96.6 mi
- Evans Park4.511.3 mi
- Hy-Vee Grocery Store4.310.6 mi
- Des Moines International Airport4.324.9 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Features playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports fields serving the local community.
Provides local opportunities for fishing and nature observation.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.