The story of this market
The typical home in Polk County, Iowa sells for about $288,834, or $211 per square foot.
Prices are roughly flat from a year ago (-0.4%), a market in balance. Homes take about 27 days to sell, which is fast. Over the long run, values in this county have grown 117% since 2000. Last year 66 of 105 neighborhoods saw prices rise, so the story isn't the same street to street. The biggest natural hazard here is strong wind, which FEMA rates relatively high. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,360 a month.
HUD sets the fair market rent for a 2-bedroom at $1,360 a month. FEMA's National Risk Index rates overall hazard risk here as Relatively Low.
Price climate
Every year of price change, 2000–2025
+1.4%
2025
Each stripe is one year's median price change across the area's census tracts (FHFA repeat-sales index). Deep blue is a strong gain year, red a falling year. Best: 2022 (+11.7%). Worst: 2010 (-2.4%). Hover to read a year.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+1.5%
IA · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Rent benchmark
Fair market rent by size
$1,856
3-bed / month
HUD Fair Market Rents, fiscal 2027, for this county. A typical rent for a modest unit, used to set housing-voucher payments.
Neighborhood price trend
Long-run price trend, 2000–2025
+1.4%
2025 change
FHFA repeat-sales index, median of 105 census tracts in this county (2000 = 100). Bars are each year's median change.
Natural hazard exposure
The area's risk shape
28
Relatively Low
FEMA National Risk Index. Each spoke is a hazard ranked nationally, where 100 is the most exposed. Expected annual loss: $137,588,604.
Mortgage activity
Home lending in this county
86.2%
2018 approval rate
| Year | Applications | Loans made | Approval | Investor share | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 26312 | 16341 | 86.2% | 7.4% | $185,000 |
CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act records: every mortgage application reported by lenders for homes in this county. Approval rate is approved ÷ decided (withdrawn and incomplete files excluded). Investor share and home value are the median census tract.
Polk County, Iowa
Polk County's residential market is displaying a balanced, stabilized posture with median sales prices holding near $289,000, representing flat year-over-year price growth (-0.4%). While supply has crept up and average days on market have lengthened to approximately 27 to 53 days across reporting platforms, sale-to-list ratios remain resilient near 99%. Buyer demand remains anchored by steady regional employment in insurance, healthcare, and state governance, counterbalanced by mortgage-rate sensitivity.
No ARED distress-ledger coverage for this county yet — the foreclosure ingest rotates the national county directory, and filings appear here once the county's posted notices are read. Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.
Select a city to expand its ZIP intel reports beneath · 17 cities · 32 ZIP reports
Median prices moved up 2.6% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 39 days on market with 3.5 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
6% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 94.82% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 2.9% · poverty 9.8% — a stable, low-distress profile.
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this county — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Owned and leased federal assets with active or excess status, per the General Services Administration's Real Estate Across the United States inventory (read 2026-09-25). A federal footprint read on this county — not a market valuation, and never an attribute of any individual property or tenant.
Deterministic aggregate of 32 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Polk County, Iowa — researched county-level history with a deterministic 1 / 3 / 5-year projection
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Each property observation weighs one in its ZIP's deterministic roll-up — property-level records (taxes, scores, permits) never roll individually. Latest property research run Oct 13, 2026.
researched Sep 27
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| 50007 | Bayard | $474,000 | $235 | +2.1% | 45 | 98.5% | 8% | 6 | 12 | $1,450 | researched Sep 27 |
| 50009 | Altoona | $261,800 | $194 | +0.9% | 29 | 99.2% | 19% | 4.1 | 3,514 | $1,232 | researched Sep 27 |
| 50021 | Ankeny | $335,000 | $194 | +2% | 71 | 100% | — | 3.6 | 974 | $1,393 | researched Sep 27 |
| 50023 | Ankeny | $336,000 | $225 | -7% | 62 | 98.9% | 19% | 1 | 150 | $1,240 | researched Sep 27 |
| 50035 | Bondurant | $350,000 | $229 | -2.6% | 57 | 98.9% | 19% | 3.4 | 174 | $1,289 | researched Sep 27 |
| 50073 | Elkhart | $308,500 | $229 | +1% | 57 | 98.9% | 19% | 2.9 | 3,361 | $841 | researched Sep 27 |
| 50109 | Granger | $308,500 | $229 | +1% | 57 | 98.9% | 19% | 3.4 | 3,361 | $843 | researched Sep 27 |
| 50111 | Brooklyn | $350,000 | $228 | -2.6% | 55 | 98.5% | 19% | 4.2 | 588 | $1,251 | researched Sep 27 |
| 50131 | Johnston | — | $229 | -2.6% | 57 | 98.9% | 19% | 3.6 | 3,361 | $1,338 | researched Sep 27 |
| 50169 | Mitchellville | $308,500 | $229 | +1% | 57 | 98.9% | 19% | 3.6 | 3,361 | $809 | researched Sep 27 |
Figures are each ZIP report's own latest research — the county roll-up aggregates them sales_count-weighted (population fallback); ZIPs cycle quarterly.
Crime rates in Polk County vary notably by jurisdiction, with urban cores in Des Moines experiencing higher rates of property and violent offenses while suburban communities such as Ankeny, Urbandale, and Johnston report violent crime rates well below state and national medians. Overall county incident trends have remained relatively flat with modest reductions in property crimes regionally.
Public education across Polk County includes several highly rated suburban districts such as Waukee, Johnston, and Ankeny Community School Districts, which routinely earn above-average state assessments. In contrast, the large urban Des Moines Independent Community School District serves a broader socioeconomic spectrum with more varied performance outcomes across individual facilities.
Primary hazard exposures include riverine flooding along the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers and severe convective convective storms generating high winds and hail. Property insurance markets remain functional, though severe convective storm activity across the upper Midwest has driven upward pressure on property and casualty premiums.
Polk County serves as the economic and financial epicenter of Iowa, anchored by major insurance, financial services, healthcare, and state government operations. Strong development corridors continue expanding northward toward Ankeny and westward along the I-80/I-35 interchange.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. Federal (United States (federal)) — Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Superfund Liens: Establishes a statutory federal lien upon the parcel running in favor of the United States for all unrecovered cleanup costs, damages, and statutory interest incurred by the EPA. Rate and formula: Direct Dollar-for-Dollar Reimbursement (Lien Amount = Incurred Response Costs + Administrative Costs + Federal (United States (federal)) — Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) Withholding: Imposes an affirmative withholding tax obligation on the transferee (buyer) to withhold and remit tax on the gross amount realized (gross sales price). The statutory base withholding rate is 15% of the total purchase price (Formula: Tax = Amount Realized × 15%). Exemptions and reductions: (1) 0% wit Federal (United States (federal)) — Federal General Tax Lien Encumbrance: Under IRC § 6321, a statutory lien arises automatically as of the date of assessment and attaches to all real property owned or acquired by the taxpayer.
Polk County's economy is heavily anchored by the insurance and financial services cluster, known nationally as a major underwriting and annuity hub, alongside healthcare systems, logistics, and state governmental administration. Economic momentum remains steady supported by low unemployment and consistent regional population growth.
The county is bisected by Interstate 35 and Interstate 80, forming a major national freight crossroad alongside Interstate 235 through downtown Des Moines. Regional public transit is provided by the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) bus network.
Urban development is managed cooperatively between municipal jurisdictions and the Des Moines Area MPO, focusing on suburban growth corridors in Ankeny and Grimes alongside downtown riverfront reinvestment.
The Polk County Assessor appraises all real property biennially on odd-numbered years at full market value, subject to state equalized equalization orders and Iowa statutory rollback percentages.
Parcels are subject to combined levies consisting of Polk County, local municipalities, emergency response districts, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), and respective local independent school districts.
Homeowners insurance rates have faced upward adjustments driven by regional severe storm, hail, and wind losses, though the county's market remains broadly competitive compared to coastal states.
- Adventureland Park4.32.1 mi
- Spare Time Des Moines4.216.6 mi
- Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park4.27.1 mi
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park4.314.8 mi
- B&B Theatres Ankeny 12 & B-Roll Bowling4.58.6 mi
- Iowa State Fairgrounds4.63.5 mi
- Adventureland Park4.32.1 mi
- Casey's Center4.56.7 mi
- Iowa Events Center4.56.8 mi
- Iowa Speedway4.525.6 mi
- Adventureland Park4.32.1 mi
- Blank Park Zoo4.59.8 mi
- Iowa State Capitol4.85.9 mi
- Center Grove Orchard4.717.5 mi
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden4.76.3 mi
- Iowa State Capitol4.85.9 mi
- Science Center of Iowa4.47 mi
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park4.67.6 mi
- Des Moines Art Center4.69.8 mi
- Hoyt Sherman Place4.87.6 mi
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden4.76.3 mi
- Raccoon River Park4.712.8 mi
- Prairie Ridge Sports Complex4.510.1 mi
- Waukee Triumph Park4.620 mi
- Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge4.712.4 mi
- Captain Roy's4.65.9 mi
- Saylorville Lake Marina4.713.8 mi
- Big Creek Marina4.618.2 mi
- Jester Park4.717.5 mi
- Terrace Hills Golf Course4.43.9 mi
- Jester Park Golf Course4.417.9 mi
- Beaver Creek Golf Club3.915.3 mi
- Toad Valley Golf Course4.24 mi
- Jordan Creek Town Center4.516.2 mi
- Outlets of Des Moines4.32.2 mi
- Merle Hay Mall410.3 mi
- Fleet Farm4.618.4 mi
- Hy-Vee Grocery Store4.37 mi
- Des Moines International Airport4.310.4 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this county — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
Major regional reservoir offering boating, multi-use paved trails, camping, and beach recreation.
Downtown Des Moines stadium hosting the Iowa Cubs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.
Iowa's only accredited zoological park, serving as a primary family destination.
Premier cultural anchors featuring modern and contemporary art and an iconic outdoor downtown sculpture park.
Retrieved via Census Bureau ACS 5-year profile for Polk County, IA.
Polk County median price moved down 0.4% year over year (county intel report).
Median 27 days on market — a fast-paced market.
The Lakeland housing market has shifted into buyer-opportunity territory as inventory normalizes to approximately 6 months of supply. Sellers are facing modest downward pricing pressure, with median sold prices down roughly 1.6% to 3.3% year-over-year. Buyers are regaining negotiating leverage: homes linger on the market for an average of 53 to 61 days, list-to-sale ratios sit around 95.2% to 98.9
FEMA Flood Zone X (unshaded / minimal flood hazard area outside the 500-year floodplain across the bulk of the acreage, though local low-lying pockets along wetland buffers require site drainage review). Wind/hail hazard is elevated consistent with Central Florida's inland hurricane track exposure. Florida homeowners and builder's risk insurance costs have faced ongoing upward pressure across Polk
Cash buyers accounted for roughly 24% of recent sales in Lakeland, reflecting a downtrend from a prior peak of 34%.
Foreign buyers took 1.6% of U.S. existing-home purchases (national survey — the state-level table is not published in free coverage) (April 2025–March 2026, -0.3 pp versus the prior survey period) — in line with typical published levels.
The southwest Lakeland residential development land inventory is constrained for large contiguous 70+ acre parcels with utility adjacency. Single-family finished homes in the 33811 ZIP code experience roughly 2.5 to 3.5 months of supply, reflecting strong local housing demand balanced against elevated financing costs for custom builders and subdividers.
Local direct home-buying companies (e.g., We Buy Houses in Lakeland Florida) remain active, but institutional/flipper activity has moderated relative to peak levels.
Approximately 26% of county-wide listings have enacted price reductions, up 0.2 percentage points month-over-month, reflecting increasing pressure on sellers to discount original list prices.
8 statutory notices posted for the 2026-11-17 trustee-sale cycle versus 9 for 2026-11-10 (-11% cycle-over-cycle).
Mean annual property tax 2024: $8,864 vs 2023: $10,140 (-12.6%) across 8 researched Polk County parcel-year readings.
Iowa FHFA HPI index 2026-Q2: 386.74 vs 2026-Q2: 386.74 (YoY 2026-Q2: 2.25%).
The property at 2523 Shepherd Rd is situated in southwest Lakeland (ZIP 33811) in Polk County. Citywide data for Lakeland indicates property crime rates (approximately 18 to 20 per 1,000 residents) roughly in line with national averages, with theft and burglary comprising the vast majority of local police reports. However, specific localized incident counts directly mapped to this immediate addres
applies when — Property must be occupied as the owner's homestead
Provides legal protections for the homestead property, including specific exemptions from judicial sale for debts, as defined under state law.
Iowa Code Chapter 561
Iowa generally requires judicial foreclosure proceedings. Borrowers are entitled to a notice of right to cure default prior to the initiation of foreclosure actions. Redemption rights exist post-sale unless specific statutory exceptions (such as foreclosure without redemption for nonagricultural land) are met.
Iowa Code Chapter 654
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.
Iowa Code Chapter 441; Iowa Department of Revenue Property Tax Overview
≈ $8,665/yr on a $288,834 median
Governance registry — every jurisdiction re-researches on a rolling 90-day cycle. Property reports compose these inherited burdens into a per-parcel ledger with conditional determinations. Informational only — not legal advice.