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Suburb0
Des Moines

Johnston

#4 in Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in Des Moines Area
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • Suburb of Des Moines, IA
  • 31 reviews
    A+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      A+
    2. Crime & Safety
      C+
    3. Housing
      A
    4. Nightlife
      B+
    5. Good for Families
      A+
    6. Diversity
      B-
    7. Jobs
      A
    8. Weather
      B-
    9. Cost of Living
      B
    10. Health & Fitness
      B+
    11. Outdoor Activities
      B-
    12. Commute
      A-
    View Full Report Card
    Johnston is a suburb of Des Moines with a population of 20,172. Johnston is in Polk County and is one of the best places to live in Iowa. Living in Johnston offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Johnston there are a lot of bars, coffee shops, and parks. Many families live in Johnston and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Johnston are highly rated.
    About Johnston...
    Population
    20,172

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $248,100
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $1,123
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Dense Suburban
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      27%
    • Own
      73%
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    Johnston Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    C+
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      91.7
      282.7
    • Murder
      4.6
      6.1
    • Rape
      18.3
      40.7
    • Robbery
      32.1
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      146.7
      500.1
    • Theft
      912.2
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      50.4
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    B-
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      14%
    • 10-17 years
      13%
    • 18-24 years
      4%
    • 25-34 years
      11%
    • 35-44 years
      16%
    • 45-54 years
      16%
    • 55-64 years
      13%
    • 65+ years
      13%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      20%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      34%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      27%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      16%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      3%
      13%

    Working in Johnston

    Jobs
    A
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $94,539
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Johnston

    Places to Work in Johnston

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    Johnston Reviews

    31 reviews
    All Categories
    Johnston is a wonderful suburb area. You are in drivIng distance to anything you could ever need by 25 minutes. This community has worked hard to make it look beautiful as well. In spring there are flowers being planted and store fronts are made to look clean and updated. The area is middle class to upper class. So availability of low income housing is close to none. AllowIng cheaper housing would give young families and adults a chance to enjoy this community. This community could be more diverse in the residents who live here but I can see that growth happening in the future.
    Overall I would highly recommend Johnston to any person looking to move!
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    I live in a beautiful part of town. Right by school, actually, and the sunrises are the prettiest thing you’ll ever see. My neighbors are wonderful and I live really close to my friends. The shopping takes time some days but it’s fine because we usually get ice cream at the end of it at our local ice cream parlor. The teachers at school are very helpful and intelligent people, who truly care if you do well or not. I’m conclusion, Johnston is an excellent place to live, and I don’t think I’ve lived anywhere that I’ve felt happier.
    Johnston is a wealthy suburb of Des Moines. The people are generally pretty friendly and nice, and the school system is fantastic with academics. However, it lacks diversity, and growing up here is tough if you do not come from an upper middle class family. The school district is huge, so it is easy for B- and C-level to fall through the cracks and go unnoticed if they are struggling. It is stereotypical suburbia, but a safe community.