Northwest, Des Moines, IA—50311
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Northwest, Des Moines, IA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Northwest, Des Moines, IA is $225,000, with a year-over-year change of 0.3%. This indicates that home prices in Northwest, Des Moines, IA are flat. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 0.2%, suggesting a relatively flat housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $225,000 | 0.3% |
| Single Family | $226,000 | 0.0% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | $184,000 | 0.5% |
3 Bed | $241,000 | 0.0% |
4 Bed | $274,000 | 0.0% |
| 5 Bed | $282,000 | -0.7% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Northwest, Des Moines, IA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Northwest, Des Moines, IA is $997, with a year-over-year rent change of -11.0%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Northwest, Des Moines, IA is studios: $702, 1-bedrooms: $883, 2-bedrooms: $992, 3-bedrooms: $1,440, 4-bedrooms: $2,180. The most common rental property sizes in Northwest, Des Moines, IA are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 35.7% and 29.7% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $825 | $997 |
| Studio Rent | $700 | $702 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $795 | $883 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $895 | $992 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $1,450 | $1,440 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $2,100 | $2,180 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Northwest, Des Moines, IA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Northwest, Des Moines, IA is 66. This is a increase of 61.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 40.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $245,000 | -7.0% |
Listing Count | 60 | 21.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.5% | 21.0% |
Days on Market | 66 | 61.0% |
Demographics — Northwest, Des Moines, IA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Northwest, Des Moines, IA has a population of 15,900, which has remained stable by 0.9% over the past 5 years. Northwest, Des Moines, IA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 17.7% of the population. The area has a moderately educated workforce, with 41.4% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are some residents working remotely, with 13.2% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 15,900 | 0.9% |
% Under 18 | 17.7% | -14.5% |
% Seniors | 9.6% | 29.7% |
% WFH | 13.2% | 200.0% |
% w/ College Degree | 41.4% | -5.7% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Northwest, Des Moines, IA is a predominantly white area, with 68.6% of the population identifying as white. The white population has grown by 0.3% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Northwest, Des Moines, IA is black, making up 13.8% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 9.9% of the population in Northwest, Des Moines, IA, and this percentage has decreased by 23.8% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 68.6% | 0.3% |
% Black | 13.8% | 3.0% |
% Hispanic | 8.5% | 16.4% |
% Asian | 2.7% | -53.4% |
% Foreign Born | 9.9% | -23.8% |
Mortgage and Risk — Northwest, Des Moines, IA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 472 mortgage originations in Northwest, Des Moines, IA, of which 87.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 64.0%, with 31.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Northwest, Des Moines, IA. Investor activity is low, as 8.0% of loans were by investors. 6.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 472 |
% Conventional Loans | 87.0% |
% Government Loans | 13.0% |
% Investor Loans | 8.0% |
% Second Loans | 1.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 6.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Northwest, Des Moines, IA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Northwest, Des Moines, IA under the Section 8 program is 3.2%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in Northwest, Des Moines, IA, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 115 |
Total Units Section 8 | 113 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 3.2% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 80.0% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $85 | $795 | $880 |
| 2 Bedroom | $155 | $895 | $1,050 |
| 3 Bedroom | -$40 | $1,450 | $1,410 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$690 | $2,100 | $1,410 |
Affordability — Northwest, Des Moines, IA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 3.3 |
| Median Home Price | $225,000 |
| Median Household Income | $63,200 |