The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 50266 sells for about $325,000, or $211 per square foot.
Prices are up +1.6% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 22 days to sell, which is fast. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,331 a month.
ZIP 50266 — West Des Moines
The housing market in ZIP 50266 is currently experiencing a mild seller's market characterized by low inventory and steady price appreciation. Demand remains supported by the area's strong economic base and high-quality school district, keeping days on market low and sale-to-list ratios near asking price. While inventory is tight, the market remains balanced compared to the more volatile periods of previous years.
This ZIP is ideal for families and professionals seeking a balance of suburban amenities, high-quality schools, and convenient access to the Des Moines employment core.
Median prices moved up 1.6% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 22 days on market with 1.6 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
19% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 100.1% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 2.4% · poverty 8.9% — 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 5.1%/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 4.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 50266, Polk County IA
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
The area is served by the West Des Moines Community School District, which is generally regarded as a high-performing district within the Des Moines metropolitan area.
The region faces standard Midwestern climate risks, including severe thunderstorms and occasional wind events, with flood risk managed by local municipal infrastructure.
West Des Moines is a primary economic hub for the region, featuring significant corporate office development, retail expansion, and ongoing infrastructure investment.
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.
Residents benefit from direct access to I-235 and I-35, providing efficient transit to downtown Des Moines and major employment centers in the western suburbs.
The area features extensive access to the Jordan Creek Town Center for shopping, numerous city parks, and proximity to the Raccoon River greenbelt trails.
The rental market is characterized by steady demand driven by the area's proximity to major employers, with moderate vacancy pressure and a mix of multi-family and single-family rental options.
The economy is anchored by the financial services, insurance, and retail sectors, with West Des Moines serving as a significant corporate headquarters hub for the region.
The area is served by a network of major highways including I-35 and I-80, facilitating regional connectivity, with limited public transit options compared to the urban core.
Development is focused on infill projects and the continued expansion of mixed-use commercial districts along the I-35 corridor.
The Polk County Assessor manages property valuations, utilizing a mass appraisal system to determine market value for tax purposes.
Parcels are subject to levies from the West Des Moines Community School District, Polk County, and various municipal utility and emergency service districts.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional weather patterns, with standard coverage for wind and hail being essential for homeowners.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA profiles and local market reports.
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.
- Adventureland Park4.317.6 mi
- Spare Time Des Moines4.20.3 mi
- Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park4.214.5 mi
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park4.37.8 mi
- B&B Theatres Ankeny 12 & B-Roll Bowling4.514.3 mi
- Iowa State Fairgrounds4.613.6 mi
- Adventureland Park4.317.6 mi
- Casey's Center4.510.1 mi
- Iowa Events Center4.510.1 mi
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden4.710.5 mi
- Blank Park Zoo4.510.4 mi
- Iowa State Capitol4.811 mi
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden4.710.5 mi
- The Palms Theatres & IMAX4.74.2 mi
- Science Center of Iowa4.410.1 mi
- Iowa State Capitol4.811 mi
- Science Center of Iowa4.410.1 mi
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park4.69.3 mi
- Des Moines Art Center4.67 mi
- Hoyt Sherman Place4.89.2 mi
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden4.710.5 mi
- Raccoon River Park4.74.6 mi
- Waukee Triumph Park4.65.6 mi
- Fort Des Moines Park4.611.1 mi
- Des Moines Water Works Park4.67.5 mi
- Captain Roy's4.610.9 mi
- Saylorville Lake Marina4.714.2 mi
- Big Creek Marina4.617.9 mi
- Beaver Creek Golf Club3.910.8 mi
- Golf Galaxy3.83.3 mi
- A.H. Blank Golf Course4.210.6 mi
- Waveland Golf Course4.57 mi
- The Legacy Golf Club4.58.7 mi
- Jordan Creek Town Center4.50.6 mi
- Merle Hay Mall47.4 mi
- Fleet Farm4.61.8 mi
- Hy-Vee Grocery Store4.310 mi
- Hy-Vee Grocery Store4.24 mi
- Des Moines International Airport4.38.4 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A major regional shopping and entertainment destination.
Large municipal park featuring a lake, beach, and trail system.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.