Johnston, IA Homes for Sale & Real Estate Listings

Northwest Luxury Corridor

$795,000 to $1.6M+

Johnston's prestige addresses cluster in the northwest quadrant along NW 104th Court, Century Woods Circle, Timberwood Drive, Wickham Drive, and Wooded Point Drive. Many properties back to Beaver Creek or enjoy wooded lot settings. Expect custom finishes, five-bedroom floor plans, three-car garages, and square footage from 2,100 to 7,400 square feet. New construction at the upper end regularly exceeds $1.5 million.

Upper Midrange Established Neighborhoods

$449,000 to $849,000

Crosshaven, Heather Bow, Barnsley Drive, Buckley Street, and Newbury Court represent Johnston's core family neighborhoods: four-bedroom homes on cul-de-sacs, mature landscaping, and easy access to JCSD elementary schools. These areas attract move-up buyers and corporate relocations, with Craftsman, transitional, and ranch-style architecture well represented.

Mid-Range Suburban

$330,000 to $449,000

NW 91st and 92nd Courts, Stonepointe Lane, Marnewood Drive, Jane Austen Court, and Watermeadow Circle offer the bulk of Johnston's volume. These ranch and two-story homes typically run 1,400 to 2,600 square feet with two-car garages and neighborhood trail access. Buyers in this tier gain full JCSD school access at strong value relative to the metro.

Entry-Level Condos and Townhomes

$150,000 to $330,000

Windsor Parkway, Providence Drive, Jordan Court, Bayern Lane, and Aspen Circle provide Johnston's most accessible price points. Condos and smaller townhomes in this tier typically offer two to three bedrooms and low-maintenance living, appealing to first-time buyers, young professionals, and downsizers who want JCSD schools and Johnston's trail network without the maintenance of a larger home.

$386,495

Median Sale Price

$221

Price Per Sq Ft

+1.1%

Price/Sqft YOY

29 Days

Median DOM

$106,551

Median HH Income

Downtown Des Moines

Approximately 15 minutes via US-141 or NW 86th Street. Johnston sits at the northwest edge of the metro, with direct arterial access to downtown without requiring freeway travel for most commutes.

Des Moines International Airport

Approximately 20 minutes via I-35/80 south. DSM offers direct service to Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Denver, and New York, making Johnston viable for frequent flyers.

Interstate Access

US-141 connects Johnston to I-35/80 to the south and NW Iowa to the north. The I-35/80 interchange provides full access to the metro ring and beyond. Urbandale, Clive, and West Des Moines are all within a 15-minute drive.

Transit and Trails

DART bus service connects Johnston to the broader metro. The city's 45-mile trail network allows non-motorized commuting between neighborhoods, schools, and parks. Johnston is car-dependent for most destinations outside the trail corridor.

Johnston Senior High School

Ranked #49 out of 340 Iowa high schools by US News and World Report. Serves grades 9 through 12 with a robust AP program. The school's overall testing ranking is 9/10, placing it in the top 20% of Iowa public high schools.

Johnston Middle School

Ranked 116th out of 344 Iowa public middle schools by SchoolDigger. Feeds directly into Johnston Senior High, maintaining curricular continuity across the secondary grades for students throughout the district.

Henry A. Wallace Elementary

Ranked 67th out of 576 Iowa elementary schools with a 5-star rating. One of several JCSD elementary campuses serving Johnston neighborhoods. Beaver Creek Elementary, in the northwest zone, serves families in the Crosshaven and corridor areas.

District Highlights

79% math and reading proficiency. 97.39% four-year graduation rate. Overall testing ranking 9/10. Best in the Des Moines metro per December 2025 Iowa state performance designations. JCSD's consistent performance is a primary driver of Johnston's property values.

What is the median home price in Johnston Iowa?

The median sold price in Johnston was $386,495 in March 2026, with a median price per square foot of $221, up 1.1% year-over-year. Active listings range from condos in the low $150,000s through luxury new construction above $1.5 million in the northwest corridor. Johnston's price point is above the Des Moines city median, reflecting its top-ranked school district, trail system, and high household income base.

What are the best neighborhoods in Johnston Iowa?

Johnston's residential areas cover a wide range of price points and lifestyles. The northwest corridor near Beaver Creek includes Century Woods, Timberwood, and Wickham Drive, with luxury homes from $795,000 to over $1.5 million. Central Johnston neighborhoods such as Crosshaven, Barnsley, and Heather Bow offer established four-bedroom homes from $449,000 to $849,000. Mid-range areas including Stonepointe, Marnewood, and NW 91st and 92nd Courts offer ranch and two-story homes from $330,000 to $449,000. Entry-level condos and townhomes on Windsor Parkway, Providence Drive, and Bayern Lane start in the $150,000s.

What school district is Johnston Iowa in?

Johnston is served by the Johnston Community School District (JCSD), which was named the best-performing district in the Des Moines metro in the December 2025 Iowa state rankings. The district posts 79% math and 79% reading proficiency rates, compared to Iowa averages of 68% and 70% respectively. Johnston Senior High School is ranked 49th out of 340 Iowa high schools by US News. The district's 4-year graduation rate of 97.39% is among the highest in the state.

What is Johnston Iowa known for?

Johnston is a northwest Des Moines suburb in Polk County known for its top-ranked schools, 45 miles of recreational trails, and a vibrant Town Center that opened in 2020. Corteva Agriscience, a global agricultural science company, maintains its headquarters in Johnston. Terra Park, a 200-acre flagship park with a fishing lake, and the Beaver Creek water trail system are major outdoor amenities. Johnston Green Days in June is the city's flagship community festival, held annually at Terra Park with a parade, carnival, fireworks, and live entertainment.

Is Johnston Iowa a good place to buy a home?

Yes. Johnston consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the Des Moines metro, offering top-ranked schools, a median household income of $106,551, 45 miles of trails, a walkable Town Center, and a location just 15 minutes from downtown Des Moines. The housing market serves buyers across all price tiers, from entry-level condos in the $150,000s through luxury estates above $1.5 million. With homes selling in a median of 29 days as of March 2026, Johnston remains an in-demand community for families, professionals, and move-up buyers.