Trying to choose between north Ankeny and south Ankeny? You are not alone. Many buyers love Ankeny’s location and growth, but the right fit often comes down to a simple question: do you want newer housing and quick access to major corridors, or do you want an older core feel with easier access to established dining, errands, and downtown Des Moines routes? This guide will help you compare housing styles, daily convenience, and commute patterns so you can narrow in on the part of Ankeny that fits how you actually live. Let’s dive in.
How to Define North vs South Ankeny
Ankeny does not use a strict official line that divides the city into north and south. In practical terms, north Ankeny usually refers to the newer growth areas north and northwest of the historic core.
South Ankeny usually refers to the older corridor around Uptown, First Street, and South Ankeny Boulevard, along with nearby established neighborhoods. That said, this is not a perfect old-versus-new split because the city has newer pockets in multiple areas, including Prairie Trail and parts of south Ankeny.
Housing Styles Feel Different
One of the biggest differences between north and south Ankeny is the feel of the housing stock. Citywide, Ankeny still leans heavily toward single-family homes, with the comprehensive plan reporting 59% single-family homes, 19% apartments, and 13% townhouses.
Recent construction also shows a wider mix than many buyers expect. According to the city’s 2024 community development report, new residential construction included 47% single-family detached, 28% single-family attached, 3% duplex, and 22% multifamily.
South Ankeny Has More Established Housing
The oldest and most established single-family homes are concentrated near City Hall, First Street, and Ankeny Boulevard. The city says these homes range from 1862 to 2006, with most built in the late 1950s through the late 1970s and an average build year of about 1969.
In general, these older-core homes tend to be more modest in size and amenities than homes in newer neighborhoods. If you like mature streets, established areas, and a more traditional neighborhood pattern, south Ankeny may feel more familiar and grounded.
North Ankeny Has More Newer Development
The newest neighborhoods are generally found on Ankeny’s northern edges, in Prairie Trail, and in some subdivisions east of Interstate 35 near 102nd Avenue. These areas often reflect more recent planning, updated layouts, and a broader mix of housing products.
That does not mean north Ankeny is only large detached homes. In fact, newer development across Ankeny includes attached homes and multifamily options too, so it is smart to compare specific neighborhoods rather than assume every north-side option looks the same.
Prairie Trail Is Its Own Important Middle Ground
Prairie Trail stands out because it combines newer housing with a more walkable street pattern. Its design includes a range of lot types such as townhouse, attached, garden, hamlet, village, estate, manor, and front-loaded lots.
Many homes use rear-lane access for parking, and the area is designed with continuous sidewalks, tree lawns, and on-street parking. For buyers who want newer construction without a conventional subdivision feel, Prairie Trail can offer a different kind of tradeoff than either a classic south Ankeny neighborhood or a more road-oriented north-side corridor.
Daily Errands and Lifestyle Access
Where you live in Ankeny can shape how easy it feels to grab coffee, meet friends, or run errands. This is one of the clearest differences between the south and north sides.
South and Central Ankeny Feel More Walkable
South and central Ankeny have the strongest concentration of walkable retail and dining. Uptown is the city’s historic commercial district near 3rd Street, with specialty retail shops, small businesses, restaurants, a brewery, on-street parking, and tree-lined pedestrian space.
The neighborhoods around Uptown are mainly low-density single-family residential, which adds to that older-core feel. If you want to be closer to an established district with a main-street character, south and central Ankeny may line up better with your lifestyle.
Prairie Trail Blends Amenities and Housing
Prairie Trail is also a major lifestyle hub. The area combines housing, parks, trails, and businesses in one planned setting, and the District at Prairie Trail includes a wide selection of restaurants and bars.
Prairie Trail also reports more than 200 acres of parks and open space plus 13 miles of trails. If your ideal setup includes newer homes, trail access, and nearby places to gather, this part of Ankeny deserves a close look.
North Ankeny Is More Corridor-Oriented
North Ankeny has a different pattern. The Metro North Business Park area along Interstate 35 at Oralabor Road includes nearby retail, hotels, childcare, restaurants, and walking trails, and the area around NE 36th Street and Interstate 35 is identified by the city as a future large-scale retail, office, and residential destination.
In everyday terms, that often means north Ankeny feels more connected to major roads, employment areas, and drive-to retail. If convenience to highways and business corridors matters more than a walk-to district, that can be a real advantage.
Commute Tradeoffs Matter
For many buyers, the north-versus-south question really becomes a commute question. Ankeny is well positioned overall, but your exact starting point can still affect how smooth your daily drive feels.
The city places Ankeny about six miles north of downtown Des Moines and 20 miles south of Ames, with direct access to both Interstate 35 and Interstate 80. The average commute time for Ankeny residents is 21.3 minutes, and 74% of residents get to work in less than 25 minutes.
South Ankeny Can Help With Downtown Trips
The city’s transportation plan notes that most short-distance commute flows move southwest toward the center of the Des Moines metro. That gives south and central Ankeny a practical edge if your work, routines, or regular appointments pull you toward downtown Des Moines.
South and central Ankeny also have the cleanest transit tie to downtown through DART Express Route 98, which runs between 1st Street in Ankeny and downtown Des Moines. If transit access matters to you, that is a meaningful point in favor of the southern part of the city.
North Ankeny Can Help With Ames and I-35 Access
North and northwest locations tend to work well for buyers commuting north toward Ames or using the NE 36th Street and I-35 corridor regularly. The city also notes that Ames and Iowa State are a short 20-minute commute north.
Interstate 35 interchanges at NE 36th Street, First Street, Oralabor Road, and Corporate Woods Drive help shape these patterns. In practical terms, north Ankeny may save you time or hassle if your workday revolves around the north metro or employment centers near I-35.
A Quick Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | North Ankeny | South Ankeny |
|---|---|---|
| General feel | Newer growth areas and major corridors | Historic core and established neighborhoods |
| Housing pattern | More recent development and varied new product | Older homes, often more modest in size and amenities |
| Walkable amenities | More limited, more drive-to in many areas | Stronger access to Uptown and central districts |
| Commute advantage | Better for Ames and NE 36th/I-35 corridor access | Better for downtown Des Moines trips and transit access |
| Neighborhood form | More master-planned and corridor-oriented in many areas | More traditional street patterns near the core |
What Type of Buyer Fits Each Area?
The best answer usually depends on what matters most once you leave the house each morning. A home can look perfect online, but your day-to-day routine is what determines whether the location really works.
North Ankeny May Fit You Better If
- You want newer or more recently built housing
- You like the feel of master-planned development
- You want easier access to Ames or the NE 36th Street and I-35 corridor
- You are open to a wider mix of new detached, attached, or multifamily options
South Ankeny May Fit You Better If
- You want an established neighborhood feel
- You value quicker access to Uptown, First Street, or central Ankeny amenities
- You commute more often toward downtown Des Moines
- You want access to the 1st Street DART Express connection to downtown
If You Are Torn, Compare Your Real Routine
If you are stuck between the two, the most useful comparison is often not north versus south alone. It is whether the lot layout, trail access, street pattern, and commute route match your actual life.
Think about where you buy coffee, where you work, how often you use the interstate, and whether you want to walk to dining or drive to it. Those small details usually make the decision clearer.
If you want help sorting through Ankeny neighborhoods, new construction options, or the resale pockets that best match your commute and budget, Stephanie Dart can help you compare the details and make a confident move.
FAQs
What is the difference between north Ankeny and south Ankeny?
- North Ankeny generally refers to newer growth areas north and northwest of the historic core, while south Ankeny usually refers to the older Uptown, First Street, and South Ankeny Boulevard corridor and nearby established neighborhoods.
Is north Ankeny all new construction homes?
- No. North Ankeny has more newer development overall, but Ankeny’s recent housing mix includes detached, attached, duplex, and multifamily homes across the city.
Is south Ankeny better for commuting to downtown Des Moines?
- In many cases, yes. South and central Ankeny tend to offer a slight edge for downtown Des Moines-oriented trips, and DART Express Route 98 runs from 1st Street in Ankeny to downtown Des Moines.
Is north Ankeny better for commuting to Ames?
- Often, yes. North and northwest Ankeny locations usually offer stronger access for trips toward Ames and the NE 36th Street and I-35 corridor.
Does Ankeny have walkable areas for dining and errands?
- Yes. Uptown and Prairie Trail offer the clearest examples of walkable dining, gathering spaces, and nearby amenities in Ankeny.
Is Prairie Trail considered north or south Ankeny?
- Prairie Trail is best understood as its own important subarea. It offers newer housing, a more walkable design, parks, trails, and integrated businesses, so it does not fit neatly into a simple north-versus-south label.
