Moving to Waukee, Iowa: A Comprehensive Relocation Guide

Considering moving to Waukee, Iowa? This booming Des Moines suburb offers explosive growth, excellent schools, and family atmosphere. With approximately 25,000 residents in 2025, Waukee combines new development with quality amenities and the Des Moines metro’s fastest-growing destination.

Demographic Profile to Consider If Moving to Waukee:

Waukee’s 2025 population is approximately 25,000 residents in this Dallas County city immediately northwest of West Des Moines experiencing explosive growth. The median age is around 34 years, with young families, professionals, and working-age residents. The population is approximately 91% White, 4% Asian, 3% Hispanic, 1% Black or African American. Waukee features almost entirely new suburban development, master-planned communities, growing commercial corridors, and serves as the Des Moines metro’s boom town. The city attracts families seeking newest construction with top schools, young professionals, and those prioritizing family atmosphere with modern amenities. Waukee appeals to middle to upper-middle class families seeking Iowa’s newest suburb. The community values education, family atmosphere, growth management, and maintaining quality amidst explosive expansion.

Cost of Living to Consider If Moving to Waukee:

Waukee offers moderate to upper-moderate costs for the Des Moines metro. Median home values range from $320,000 to $480,000 in 2025, with abundant new construction at various price points. The median household income is approximately $95,000. Rental properties average $1,300 to $1,900 monthly. Iowa has no state income tax on retirement income; individual income tax is progressive 0.33%-8.53%. Property taxes are moderate. Overall cost of living is competitive for the newest construction and top schools, making Waukee highly attractive for families prioritizing brand-new homes and the metro’s best schools. The city provides value with new development and exceptional schools. Housing costs reflect the area’s status as the metro’s premier new construction market.

Economy and Job Market:

Waukee residents typically work throughout the Des Moines metro. Major local employers include Hy-Vee operations, retail centers, and businesses along commercial corridors. Many commute to West Des Moines (immediately adjacent), downtown Des Moines, or work throughout the metro. The broader Des Moines economy offers vast opportunities. Typical commute times to downtown Des Moines are 20-30 minutes. The city serves as a premier residential community for Des Moines professionals. Many residents work in insurance, financial services, healthcare, and various sectors throughout the metro.

Education:

Waukee Community School District serves city students with rapidly-expanding schools including Waukee High School, Waukee Northwest High School, and additional high schools opening to serve explosive growth. The schools consistently rank among Iowa’s absolute best. The exceptional schools with newest facilities attract families specifically for educational excellence. The outstanding school system is the primary reason families relocate to Waukee, creating education-focused community values and competitive academic environment with state-of-the-art facilities and resources.

Recreation and Lifestyle:

Waukee offers extensive new parks including Centennial Park with trails and recreation facilities, the Waukee Family YMCA, and growing commercial development with shopping and dining. The city maintains comprehensive recreation programs despite rapid growth. Residents enjoy immediate West Des Moines access for additional entertainment, community events, and newest suburban amenities. The lifestyle emphasizes family activities, brand-new home amenities, outdoor recreation, and quality of life. The four-season Iowa climate enables year-round activities. The community values top schools, family atmosphere, newest construction, safety, and managing explosive growth while maintaining quality. Living in Waukee means embracing Iowa’s most explosive growth (one of America’s fastest-growing cities), accepting constant construction and development, newest suburb character, and prioritizing brand-new homes and top schools while enjoying the Des Moines metro’s newest and best school facilities, state-of-the-art amenities, and newest construction creating the metro’s ultimate boom town where explosive growth meets educational excellence and everything is brand new.

Healthcare and Services:

Waukee residents access comprehensive healthcare through immediate West Des Moines hospital access including MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center and UnityPoint Health facilities throughout the metro. The regional healthcare infrastructure provides quality medical care easily accessible.

Transportation:

Waukee is accessed via Interstate 35, Interstate 80 (via connecting roads), Hickman Road, and various arterial roads. Des Moines International Airport is 15-20 minutes southeast. DART (Des Moines Area Regional Transit) provides limited bus service. Most residents use personal vehicles. Typical commute times to downtown Des Moines are 20-30 minutes.

Conclusion:

Moving to Waukee in 2025 offers explosive growth Des Moines suburb living with brand-new construction, top-ranked schools, and family atmosphere. The city’s combination of Iowa’s best new schools, newest development, and explosive growth makes it ideal for families, young professionals, and those seeking the Des Moines metro’s boom town where everything is brand new and top schools meet explosive development defining Iowa’s fastest-growing destination.