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Urbandale, IA


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Urbandale, Iowa

Introduction to Urbandale, Iowa

Urbandale, Iowa, in Polk county, is located 5 miles W of Des Moines, Iowa (center to center) and is 118 miles E of Omaha, Nebraska. The city is considered part of the Des Moines metropolitan area. Urbandale has a population of 29,072.

Urbandale History

Urbandale was originally a streetcar suburb of Des Moines. It also had four coal mines, which was closed by the late 1940s. The city was incorporated on April 16, 1917. Though it was primarily a residential city, several industrial parks have developed in Urbandale. The city is partly located in Polk County, which was created on January 13, 1846; and partly in Dallas County, which was founded in 1846.

Urbandale and nearby Attractions

  • Living History Farms
  • Walnut Woods State Park
  • Des Moines Botanical Center
  • Blank Park Zoo
  • Badger Creek State Recreation Area
  • Iowa State Capitol

Things To Do In Urbandale

There are many parks and open spaces at Urbandale, including the Walker - Johnson Park, Northview Park, Urbandale City Park, and Lions Park. The city also has more than 36 miles of scenic bike trails. The Skateboard Park of Urbandale is located at the Walker Johnston Park. The local shopping center is known as Cedar Ridge Shopping Center. It is also worth taking a look around the Living History Farms. Events like Corn Harvest Weekend, Iowa Heritage Weekend, Applefest, and Horse and Buggy Days are organized in the city every year.

Urbandale Transportation

Des Moines International Airport is close to the city.

Urbandale Higher Education

Hamilton College is the local college. Drake University and Des Moines Community College are also close by.

High Points

Urbandale strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Iowa):

CategoryTrophy
Median Family Income
(vs. State)		Top 1%trophyUrbandale Median Family Income
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)		Top 1%trophyUrbandale Well-Paid Single Men
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)		Top 1%trophyUrbandale Well-Paid Single Women
College Educated Adults
(vs. State)		Top 2%trophyUrbandale College Educated Adults
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. State)		Top 2%trophyUrbandale People in Middle Class or Better
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)		Top 11%Urbandale Public Transportation Use
Low Rate of Poverty
(vs. Peers)		Top 13%Urbandale Low Rate of Poverty
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)		Top 13%Urbandale Racial Diversity

Comparative Profile of Urbandale, IA

Comparing Urbandale to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Iowa (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Well-Paid Single Women910
Well-Paid Single Men910
Age of the Population74
Female Share of the Population65
Children Under 5 Years Old57
Male Share of the Population56
Senior Citizens42
Racial Diversity19

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Portion of People Married99
Average Household Size58

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People in Middle Class or Better1010
People Above Poverty910
College Educated Adults910
Median Family Income810

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Working at Home99
Short Commute Times96
Public Transportation Use39
Walking and Biking to Work26

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Housing Recently Built810
Seasonal and Vacation Housing66
Affordability of Rents61
People Living Alone52
Affordability of Property Taxes41
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals26

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Property Crime85
Low Violent Crime73

Detailed pages on related topics: Urbandale travel • Urbandale mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

Urbandale Hotels & TravelUrbandale Hotels & Travel
Urbandale hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Urbandale MortgageUrbandale Mortgage
Urbandale property, mortgage, and real estate.

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