Huxley Real Estate

Huxley is a quietly capable market - and it gets overlooked mostly because of its size. Sitting between Ames and the Des Moines metro on Hwy 69, Huxley pairs the Ballard Community School District with easy access to both major job markets and the small-town community feel that a lot of buyers tell me they want but rarely find. If you're weighing Ankeny, Ames, or Huxley, I'd give Huxley a real look - let me walk you through why. For commute times, Ballard schools and home prices in one place, start with my complete guide to living in Huxley. For the numbers behind the listing side of that, I put Huxley listing activity next to Norwalk and explain what the gap means.

Overview

Why buyers are choosing Huxley

• The Ballard Community School District serves Huxley, Slater and Cambridge - 1,966 students (2024-25, NCES Common Core of Data).
• 15 minutes to Ames + 30 minutes to downtown Des Moines via I-35. Few Central Iowa cities offer that combo.
• Growth has been measured - Huxley isn't tripling in size like Ankeny did, which means the community character has been preserved.
• Housing stock - most homes are 3-4 bedroom, with active youth sports, school engagement, and weekend community events.
• Affordability vs. equivalent Ankeny or Johnston inventory - Huxley homes typically run $40K-$80K less than the same finishes in the bigger cities.

Huxley neighborhoods - where to focus

Here's how I think about the different pockets of town when a buyer asks me where to start:

South Huxley (closer to Slater border) - Established neighborhoods, 1980s-2000s housing stock, mature trees. Price range: $275K-$425K. Best for: first-time buyers wanting value + character.

North Huxley (newer subdivisions along Hwy 69) - Recent construction, modern finishes, HOAs. Price range: $375K-$575K. Best for: buyers wanting newer construction + organized neighborhood amenities.

West Huxley (Skunk River area) - Larger lots, more rural-edge properties, some acreage. Price range: $325K-$650K depending on lot size. Best for: buyers wanting space + privacy.

Central Huxley (around the downtown core) - Walkable to local restaurants + community spaces. Older housing stock, some restored historic properties. Price range: $250K-$400K. Best for: buyers valuing walkability + character.

What the Huxley market looks like right now

• Inventory is tight - Huxley turns over less than the larger metro suburbs because residents tend to stay 10-15+ years.
• Properly-priced single-family moves in 14-28 days. Homes in the most competitive attendance zones can move faster.
• New construction is steady but limited - fewer active builders than in Ankeny, Bondurant, or Grimes. Means more competition for resale + builders' inventory.
• Days on market: 14-30 days typical.
• The $325K-$475K range is the most competitive - overlap between first-time move-up + relocating professionals.

I send out a free Central Iowa market report every month with the actual numbers behind all of this. Get on the list at Jackson's Hub →

Schools in Huxley

Huxley is served by the Ballard Community School District - small and focused:

• Ballard High School - Located in Huxley. Academic profile, athletics and activities, AP options.
• Ballard Middle School - Single middle school for the district.
• 3 elementary schools - Ballard Central in Huxley, plus elementaries in Slater + Cambridge that feed into the district.
• The district covers Huxley, Slater, Cambridge, and Kelley - small geographic district with tight community feel.

Always verify attendance zones for a specific address before you commit - I'm happy to confirm the current zone for any home you're considering.

Things to do in Huxley

• Huxley Recreation Trail - Paved multi-use trail connecting Huxley to surrounding communities.
• Huxley Aquatic Center - Community pool, summer destination.
• Skunk River Greenbelt - Natural area with hiking + fishing.
• Annual Huxley Prairie Festival - anchor community event.
• Easy access to Ames athletic + cultural events - Iowa State football, Reiman Gardens, Main Street Ames.
• Saylorville Lake - 30 minutes south, accessible via Hwy 69.
• The growing Huxley restaurant scene - small but expanding.

The commute picture

• Ames + Iowa State University - 15 minutes north. Major draw for ISU faculty + research employees who want a different community feel than Ames itself.
• Downtown Des Moines - 30 minutes south via I-35.
• Ankeny corridor - 15-18 minutes south. Easy access to DMACC, John Deere, broader Des Moines metro.
• I-35 access - direct shot to both Ames + Des Moines markets.

Investor + house hacking in Huxley

Huxley leans more owner-occupant than investor, but when we run the numbers, a few plays work well here:

1. Ames spillover rental demand - ISU faculty + grad students sometimes prefer Huxley to Ames for the small-town feel + lower price. Single-family rentals in Huxley can find tenants from the ISU market.
2. Walk-out ranches work as house hacks. Live upstairs, rent the basement.
3. 4-bedroom new construction can accommodate roommate-style house hacks.

Full house hacking playbook here →

What clients say about working with me

Ready to make a move in Huxley?

Huxley rewards buyers who understand the Ballard district and know how to read the smaller-market patterns most agents don't slow down to learn. I work this market regularly, and I'd genuinely enjoy walking you through what's available - no pressure, just an honest conversation:

• 📱 Call or text Jackson - 515-490-8614
• ✉️ Jackson@FlandersTeam.com
• 🏠 Visit Jackson's Hub for the full Central Iowa playbook →

Nearby Central Iowa communities

Weighing options outside Huxley? Let's talk it through. Slater sits just south and shares the Ballard district. Ames is 15 minutes north - more of an urban feel and the Iowa State market. Polk City is southeast with Saylorville Lake access. If the easy commute to Ames and Des Moines appeals, my post on why buyers keep discovering Huxley covers it alongside the room to grow.

Jackson Krile is a REALTOR® on the Flanders Team at RE/MAX Real Estate Center. Licensed in Iowa #S66867000. DMAAR + CIBR member.