Is Ankeny Safe, Pros and cons of living in Ankeny

Is it Safe to Live in Ankeny?

Ankeny’s overall crime rate is higher than the national average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). However, when compared to other cities of a similar population size, Ankeny’s crime rate is lower than the average, making it safer than most comparable cities across America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Ankeny is 1 in 84 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

The violent crime rate in Ankeny is 2 per one thousand inhabitants, which is higher than the national average for violent crime (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The property crime rate in Ankeny is 10 per one thousand population, indicating an above-average chance of becoming a victim of property crime when compared to all other communities in America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). While Ankeny has a higher crime rate than 87% of Iowa’s cities and towns, its rate is lower than the average for similarly sized cities nationally (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Cost of Living in Ankeny

The cost of living in Ankeny, Iowa, is approximately 11% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Housing expenses are about 14% lower than the national average, and utility prices are 21% lower (as reported by PayScale). Transportation costs, including gas prices and bus fares, are also 1% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale).

Grocery prices in Ankeny are 2% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Healthcare costs are also significantly lower, being 17% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale). These lower expenses contribute to Ankeny being a more affordable place to live compared to many other areas in the United States.

Housing Market

As of March 2026, the median home price in Ankeny was $352,000, showing a slight increase of 0.4% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Ankeny typically sell after about 102 days on the market, which is longer than the 75 days recorded last year (as reported by Redfin). In March of this year, 143 homes were sold, an increase from 125 homes sold in the same period last year (as reported by Redfin).

The median rent in Ankeny, Iowa, is approximately $1,595 (as reported by Zillow). This figure represents an increase of $145 from the previous month, though it has seen a slight decrease of $5 year-over-year (as reported by Zillow). Currently, there are 167 rental properties available in Ankeny (as reported by Zillow).

Job Market and Economy

The average annual salary in Ankeny is approximately $43,047, which translates to about $20.70 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Most salaries in Ankeny fall between $31,855 and $51,925 annually, depending on the specific occupation and experience level (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Top-paying professions in Ankeny include Chief Financial Officer, CFO, and Family Medicine Physician (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Ankeny’s unemployment rate was 3.00% in the most recent reporting period, which is slightly higher than the previous month’s 2.80% and last year’s 2.90% (as reported by YCharts). This rate is also higher than the long-term average of 2.46% (as reported by YCharts). Major employers in Ankeny include John Deere, a global leader in providing advanced products and technology for agriculture and construction (as reported by Lensa). Other significant employers include Walmart, Costco Wholesale, Target, and FedEx (as reported by Indeed).

Climate

Ankeny experiences a climate with temperatures ranging from an average low of 11°F in the winter to an average high of 85°F in the summer (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The city receives an average of 37 inches of precipitation annually, with approximately 29 inches of that falling as snow (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The humidity levels in Ankeny remain comfortable during the summer months, contributing to a pleasant environment (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The hottest month in Ankeny is typically July, with average high temperatures around 85°F and lows near 65°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Conversely, January is the coldest month, with average highs around 30°F and lows near 12°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Ankeny receives the most precipitation in June, averaging about 5 inches for the month (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education

Ankeny Centennial High School consistently ranks highly, being recognized as one of the best public high schools in Iowa (as reported by Niche). It is also noted for its strong performance in STEM education and as a college preparatory institution (as reported by Niche). The school has a rating of 4.14 out of 5 stars based on numerous reviews (as reported by Niche).

Ankeny High School also holds an ‘A’ grade and is highly regarded within the state and the Des Moines area (as reported by Niche). It is particularly recognized for its athletic programs and as a top public high school in Polk County (as reported by Niche). The Ankeny Community School District as a whole receives an overall ‘A’ grade, with strong scores in academics, teachers, and college preparation (as reported by Niche).

Demographics

As of the most current U.S. Census data, Ankeny is the 6th most populated city in Iowa, with a population of 72,615 residents (as reported by US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey). Projections estimate the population to reach 77,622 by 2026, indicating a significant annual growth rate (as reported by US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey). The largest racial or ethnic groups in Ankeny are White (85.7%), followed by Hispanic (5.1%) and Asian (3.5%) (as reported by US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey).

The median age in Ankeny is 33.6 years, suggesting a relatively young population (as reported by US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey). The median household income in Ankeny was $108,198 in 2024 (as reported by US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey). A small percentage, 2.6%, of Ankeny families live below the poverty line (as reported by US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey).