Moving here
Moving to Ankeny, Iowa
Ankeny is the suburb on the north edge of the Des Moines metro, its own city with its own schools, parks and downtown. The Pines is in the north end of it. Here is what to know before you move.
The city
Ankeny has 76,207 residents, up more than 8,000 people and 12.25 percent in the four years since 2020. That makes it the fifth largest city in Iowa and one of the fastest growing in the Des Moines metro. People keep arriving for jobs and schools: the metro is a short drive south, Casey's General Stores runs its national headquarters here, the Ankeny Community School District keeps building, and the parks and trails were laid in alongside the neighborhoods rather than after them.
It is a real city rather than a bedroom strip. Uptown Ankeny, the original downtown along the SW and NW streets, runs its own Saturday farmers market and keeps a row of breweries and cafes a few blocks long. The District at Prairie Trail on the south side is the newer main street, with restaurants, shops, and a movie theater and bowling alley in one building.
Where The Pines sits in it
At 309 NW 18th Street, one block west of North Ankeny Boulevard in the north end of town. The everyday things are close: the Hy-Vee on North Ankeny Boulevard is 1.1 miles, Prairie Ridge Sports Complex is 1.0 miles, and the High Trestle Trail head is 1.6 miles. The I-35 on-ramp is 2.3 miles east, and downtown Des Moines is 14.5 miles. The neighborhood guide has the full table in miles.
The schools
The Ankeny Community School District runs the schools, and The Pines sits in its north feeder. Northview Middle School, grades 8 and 9, is 0.3 miles from the front door. Prairie Ridge Middle School, grades 6 and 7, is 1.0 miles. Northwest Elementary, kindergarten through grade 5, is 2.1 miles. Ankeny Centennial High School, grades 10 through 12, is 1.3 miles. The whole run, kindergarten through graduation, sits inside about two miles of the house. The Ankeny schools guide maps the full north and south feeder system. The homes run from 1,360 to 1,800 square feet across four plans, in two and three bedrooms, each with an attached garage, a washer and dryer in the home, central air and a gas fireplace. Live pricing for whatever is open is on the availability page.
Questions people ask
How big is Ankeny, Iowa?
Ankeny has 76,207 residents, up 12.25 percent since 2020, which makes it the fifth largest city in Iowa and one of the fastest growing in the Des Moines metro.
Is Ankeny a suburb of Des Moines?
Ankeny is its own city on the north edge of the Des Moines metro, with its own schools, parks and downtown. Downtown Des Moines is 14.5 miles from The Pines by road.
Where is The Pines in Ankeny?
At 309 NW 18th Street, one block west of North Ankeny Boulevard in the north end of town. The Hy-Vee on the boulevard is 1.1 miles and the High Trestle Trail head is 1.6 miles.
What schools serve The Pines?
The Ankeny Community School District north feeder: Northview Middle School (grades 8 and 9) 0.3 miles away, Prairie Ridge Middle School (grades 6 and 7) 1.0 miles, Northwest Elementary (K through 5) 2.1 miles, and Ankeny Centennial High School (grades 10 through 12) 1.3 miles.
Population from the City of Ankeny 2024 Special Census (U.S. Census Bureau). Casey's General Stores headquarters at One SE Convenience Blvd, Ankeny. School grades and feeder from the Ankeny Community School District; school assignments are set by the district. Distances measured by road from our address using OpenStreetMap, September 2026.
More about living here
- Schools near The Pines
- Parks and trails near The Pines
- Groceries and everyday errands near The Pines
- Eating and drinking near The Pines
- Commuting from The Pines
- Things to do in Ankeny
- The High Trestle Trail, near The Pines
- Single-level homes at The Pines
- Maintenance-free living at The Pines
- The floor plans at The Pines, explained
- How to apply at The Pines
- Working from home at The Pines
- Pet-friendly townhomes in Ankeny
- What residents say about The Pines
- The neighborhood guide
- All questions