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Overall15.8kPopulation

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ReloScore

15.8kPopulation

Photo: Wikipedia

Grimes, IA

Summary

Grimes, Iowa, is a fast-growing suburban community just northwest of Des Moines that has become a magnet for conservative-leaning families and single professionals seeking newer housing, strong schools, and a low-crime environment within commuting distance of the state capital. With a population of 15,810 and a median age of 34.3, the city attracts a younger, upwardly mobile demographic drawn to its blend of small-town feel and big-city access. The typical resident is a homeowner (70% homeownership rate) with a median household income of $104,497, well above the state average, reflecting a community of skilled tradespeople, corporate employees, and entrepreneurs. Grimes offers a distinctly Midwestern, family-oriented lifestyle where conservative values and community involvement are the norm.

Who lives in Grimes: population growth, age profile, and community character

Grimes has experienced explosive growth over the past two decades, transforming from a rural crossroads into one of the Des Moines metro's fastest-growing suburbs. The population has skyrocketed since 2000, driven largely by young families and professionals seeking affordable new construction homes and top-rated schools in the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District. The median age of 34.3 is notably younger than the Iowa state median of 38.5, confirming the area's appeal to millennials and Gen Xers starting or raising families. The community remains predominantly White, with a foreign-born population of just 3.0%, and nearly half of adults (47.6%) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, indicating a well-educated workforce. While no single racial or ethnic group has seen a dramatic population shift in recent years, the overall character of Grimes is defined by its rapid, steady expansion — new subdivisions, retail centers, and churches have sprung up to accommodate the influx. The city's conservative lean is evident in local politics, with Dallas County consistently voting Republican in state and national elections, and community life revolves around school events, youth sports, and civic organizations like the Grimes Chamber of Commerce.

Economy and cost of living: how Grimes compares to Des Moines and the metro

Grimes offers a compelling cost-of-living advantage relative to other Des Moines suburbs, with a median home value of $281,000 and median rent of $1,156 — both significantly below the national median while providing newer, larger homes than comparable prices would buy in nearby West Des Moines or Ankeny. The median household income of $104,497 is roughly 40% higher than the Iowa state median, giving residents substantial purchasing power. The local economy is closely tied to the Des Moines metro, with major employers including the state government, John Deere's Des Moines Works facility in Ankeny, and the growing financial services sector anchored by companies like Principal Financial Group and Wells Fargo. Many residents commute 15-20 minutes to downtown Des Moines or the booming corporate corridors along I-35 and I-80. Grimes itself has seen steady commercial development, with big-box retailers, grocery chains, and local businesses filling the Highway 141 corridor. The city's economic trajectory remains strongly positive, driven by continued residential construction and the broader Des Moines metro's reputation as a stable, low-unemployment region with a diversified economy.

Daily life in Grimes: schools, safety, and what makes it work for families

For families and single professionals alike, Grimes delivers a quality of life centered on safety, convenience, and community amenities. The violent crime rate of 229.1 per 100,000 residents is below the national average, and property crime is similarly low, making Grimes one of the safer suburbs in the Des Moines area. The Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District is a major draw, consistently ranking among Iowa's top districts for academic performance, with strong programs in STEM, agriculture, and the arts. Walkability is limited — Grimes is a car-dependent suburb where most errands require driving — but the city has invested heavily in parks and trails, including the popular Raccoon River Valley Trail that connects to downtown Des Moines. Daily life feels unhurried and neighborly, with regular community events like the Grimes Freedom Festival, farmers markets, and youth sports leagues filling the calendar. For single adults, the social scene is quieter than in downtown Des Moines, but the proximity to the city's restaurants, nightlife, and cultural venues (a 15-20 minute drive) provides easy access without the urban noise. The city's planning emphasizes single-family homes on larger lots, with newer developments featuring sidewalks, pocket parks, and covenants that maintain a tidy, family-oriented aesthetic.

Grimes is on a clear upward trajectory, with continued residential and commercial growth expected as the Des Moines metro expands northwestward. It is an excellent fit for conservative-leaning families who prioritize schools, safety, and space over urban amenities, and for single professionals who want affordable homeownership and a short commute to a major job market. The city's distinguishing characteristic is its ability to offer genuinely new housing stock — most homes were built after 2000 — at prices that undercut closer-in suburbs, making it one of the few places in central Iowa where a six-figure income still buys a brand-new four-bedroom home on a quarter-acre lot. Those seeking a walkable, diverse, or nightlife-oriented environment should look elsewhere, but for anyone wanting a classic Midwestern suburban life with strong schools and conservative values, Grimes delivers reliably.

ReloMaps Score6/10

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HousingHousing Affordability10/10

Affordable: 2.7x income

Population Density7/10

Suburban: 1,142/sq mi

AirAir Quality9/10

Great: 45 AQI

HumidityClimate Comfort6/10

Comfortable: 64°F dew pt

HealthcareHealthcare Access10/10

Excellent

StabilityPopulation Stability7/10

Growing

CostCost of Living9/10

Affordable: 100 index

Economic Opportunity5/10

Stable: $104k median

Job Market8/10

Strong: 3.2% unemployment

Wealth Floor9/10

Great

Taxes4/10

Moderate: 11.2% burden

Crime & Safety7/10

Safe

TrafficTraffic Safety7/10

Safe

Education7/10

Strong

DegreedPopulation Education Level5/10

Mixed: 48% degreed

HomesteadingHomesteading Potential9/10

Prime

WaterTap Water10/10

Clean

National DisasterNational Disaster Risk1/10

High-Risk

Power Grid10/10

Reliable: ~84 min/yr

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What It's Like Living in Grimes, IA

Grimes, Iowa, feels like the kind of place where everyone is still getting to know each other, even as the town doubles in size. It’s a fast-growing suburb of Des Moines that has managed to keep its small-town, family-first identity intact, even as new housing developments and strip malls pop up along the main drag. If you’re looking for a quiet, safe place to raise kids or start a career without the chaos of a big city, Grimes is worth a serious look.

Daily Rhythm: What People Actually Do Here

Most days in Grimes revolve around work, school, and the local parks. The average commute is just over 19 minutes, which means you can live in a newer subdivision with a yard and still be at a downtown Des Moines desk job in under half an hour. People here shop at the local Hy-Vee on SE Gateway Drive, grab coffee at Scooter’s, and eat dinner at places like Smokey D’s BBQ (a regional award-winner) or Brick City Grill, a popular spot for burgers and craft beer. Weekends are often spent at the Grimes Farm & Conservation Center, a sprawling park with walking trails, a pond, and a nature center that hosts kids’ programs. The town’s median age is 34.3, so you’ll see a lot of young families pushing strollers or coaching youth soccer on Saturday mornings. The median household income is $104,497, well above the national average, which supports a comfortable, middle-to-upper-middle-class lifestyle. People here work in insurance, finance, healthcare, and tech—many at major Des Moines employers like Wells Fargo, Principal Financial, or MercyOne.

Sports, Community, and the High School Factor

High school sports are a big deal in Grimes, and they’re the main event for local pride. The Grimes Jaguars (part of the Dallas Center-Grimes school district) draw solid crowds for football and basketball games, especially when they play rival schools like Waukee or Adel. The school district itself is a major reason families move here—it’s consistently rated among the top in the state, and nearly 48% of adults in Grimes hold a college degree, reflecting a community that values education. There’s no pro sports team in town, but Des Moines’ Iowa Cubs (Triple-A baseball) and the Iowa Wild (AHL hockey) are a 20-minute drive away. For college sports, Iowa State University in Ames is about 45 minutes north, and the University of Iowa is about two hours east. Tailgating for Cyclones or Hawkeyes games is a common weekend trip for residents.

What’s There to Do: Festivals, Parks, and Hangouts

Grimes isn’t a nightlife destination, but it has a solid lineup of community events. The biggest is GrimesFest, a summer festival with a parade, carnival rides, live music, and a fireworks show that draws people from all over the metro. The Grimes Farmers Market runs from June to September and is a low-key Saturday morning staple. For outdoor recreation, the Raccoon River Valley Trail runs right through town—a 89-mile paved trail popular for biking, running, and walking. There’s also Lions Club Park with playgrounds, baseball diamonds, and a splash pad for hot summer days. The local bar scene is modest: Grimes Sports Bar & Grill is the go-to for watching NFL or college football, and Firetrucker Brewery in nearby Ankeny is a 10-minute drive for craft beer fans. One cultural quirk: the town’s logo is a red tractor, a nod to its agricultural roots, but you’ll see more minivans than combines these days.

Pros and Cons of Living Here

The honest upsides are clear: low crime (violent crime rate of 229.1 per 100,000, which is below the national average), excellent schools, and a cost of living index of 100—exactly average for the US, which means your money goes further here than in coastal cities. The median home value is $281,000, which gets you a 3- or 4-bedroom house built in the last 20 years. The downsides? Traffic on Highway 141 can get frustrating during rush hour, especially as the town grows faster than the roads can handle. Some longtime residents grumble that the small-town feel is fading as new apartments and chain stores replace farmland. There’s also not much to do for singles in their 20s—most social life revolves around families, school events, or driving to Des Moines for bars and concerts. Winters are typical Iowa: cold, snowy, and gray from December through February, which can feel isolating if you’re not used to it. But for parents looking for a safe, affordable place with good schools and a strong sense of community, Grimes delivers exactly what it promises.