The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 50237 sells for about $460,000, or $185 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 126 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $760 a month.
ZIP 50237 — Runnells
The housing market in 50237 remains stable with low inventory and steady demand for rural residential properties. Prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, driven by buyers seeking larger lots and proximity to the Des Moines metro area. The market is characterized by longer days on market compared to urban centers, reflecting the niche appeal of this rural ZIP.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with larger lot sizes who are comfortable with a moderate commute to the Des Moines metro area.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 126 days on market with 5.2 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.8% · poverty 1.0% — 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 7.3%/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 6.6%/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 50237, 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 the Runnells area are generally low, consistent with rural Polk County trends and significantly lower than the Des Moines urban core.
Schools serving the area are part of the Southeast Polk Community School District, which maintains a solid reputation for academic performance and extracurricular engagement.
The area faces moderate risk from strong winds, cold waves, and drought, with minimal flood risk as most of the ZIP is designated in FEMA flood zone X.
Economic momentum is driven by proximity to the Des Moines metro employment hub, with local development focused on residential expansion and agricultural support services.
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.
Commuting to the Des Moines employment core typically requires a 20-30 minute drive via IA-163 or US-65, as there is no direct public transit access.
The area offers access to rural outdoor recreation, including nearby parks and trails, while major shopping and dining amenities are located approximately 10-15 minutes away in Pleasant Hill or Altoona.
The rental market is limited in depth, consisting mostly of single-family home rentals with low vacancy pressure and minimal short-term rental activity.
The local economy is primarily agricultural, with residents largely commuting to the broader Des Moines metro area for employment in finance, insurance, and government sectors.
Transportation is entirely auto-dependent, relying on state highways and county roads to connect to the Des Moines interstate network.
Development is strictly managed by county zoning, with limited large-scale commercial or high-density residential projects currently in the pipeline.
The Polk County Assessor manages property valuations, utilizing a biennial assessment cycle to reflect market changes.
Parcels are subject to Southeast Polk Community School District taxes and various county-level service levies.
Property insurance premiums are stable but reflect regional exposure to severe weather events like wind and hail.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
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.
A large county park offering camping, hiking, and river access along the Des Moines River.
Local hub for community events and gatherings.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.