Townapedia
Waukee Triangle Park
Waukee Triangle Park · Iowahwyman, CC BY-SA 3.0
ROBERT WILLIAM ANDREW FELLER HOMESTEAD, DALLAS COUNTY, IOWA
ROBERT WILLIAM ANDREW FELLER HOMESTEAD, DALLAS COUNTY, IOWA · JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0

Waukee, Iowa

Waukee is a city of 29,236 people in Dallas County, Iowa, founded in 1869.

Loading the weather...
Population29,236 +40.7% since 2019
Elevation1,030 ft 314 m
Founded1869
Land area21.9 sq mi
ZIP codes50003, 50263
Nearest airportDes Moines International Airport (DSM) 12 mi

Why visit Waukee

Townapedia lists 1 museum or landmark, 36 parks and trails, 75 places to eat, 11 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.

Highlights include The Palms Theatres & IMAX, Des Moines University, Robert William Andrew Feller Farmstead and Des Moines Golf & Country Club.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 86°F; January lows average 14°F, and about 36 inches of snow fall in a normal year.

About Waukee

Waukee is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 23,940 at the 2020 census, and was estimated at 34,890 in 2025, making it the 16th-most populous city in Iowa. It is part of the Des Moines metropolitan area.

From the Wikipedia article Waukee, Iowa (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do2

The Palms Theatres & IMAX

Cinema and theater · 2.1 mi

200 Northeast Westgate Drive, Waukee

Mo-Su 15:00-23:00

Open in Google Maps

Des Moines University

School · 4.8 mi

Medical school located in Des Moines, Iowa

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Museums and landmarks1

Robert William Andrew Feller Farmstead

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.4 mi

Historic district in Iowa, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Parks, trails and playgrounds36

Des Moines Golf & Country Club

Golf course · 3.3 mi

1600 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia · +1 515-440-7500

Sugar Creek Golf Course

Golf course

1506 6th Street, Waukee

Open in Google Maps · +1 515-987-5247

Country Club Glen Park

Park · 2.8 mi

16335 Sheridan Avenue, Clive

Open in Google Maps

Fox Creek Park

Park · 2.4 mi

522 Northeast Westgate Drive

Open in Google Maps

Lions Park

Park · 2.8 mi

15880 Wildwood Drive

Open in Google Maps

Stonegate Park

Park · 3.4 mi

15280 Boston Parkway

Open in Google Maps

Cirksena Park

Park · 3.1 mi

3575 Westgate Parkway

Open in Google Maps

Painted Woods West Park

Park · 1.8 mi

950 Indian Ridge Drive, Waukee

Open in Google Maps

Warrior Park

Park · 0.8 mi

1050 4th Street, Waukee

Open in Google Maps

Alice Nizzi Park

Park · 2.8 mi

Open in Google Maps

Biltmore

Hiking and trails · 4.0 mi

Open in Google Maps

24 more on the map.

Advertisement

Restaurants and cafes75

Early Bird

Restaurant · Breakfast, American · 2.6 mi

9250 SE University Avenue, West Des Moines

06:30-14:30

Open in Google Maps · +1-515-528-2212

IHOP

Restaurant · Breakfast, Pancake · 2.2 mi

150 Southeast Alice's Road, Waukee

06:00-24:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 515-518-3449

Smokey Row

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 2.7 mi

9150 SE University Avenue

Mo-Su 06:00-20:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-515-705-0766

Scooter's Coffee

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.7 mi

Mo-Sa 06:00-19:00; Su 07:00-19:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-515-452-0033

Starbucks

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 3.9 mi

7350 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines

Open in Google Maps · +1 515-223-1420

7 Stone Pizzeria

Restaurant · Pizza · 2.5 mi

9350 University Avenue, West Des Moines

Open in Google Maps · +1 515-987-7768

Blue Agave

Restaurant · Mexican · 2.3 mi

9500 University Avenue, West Des Moines

Open in Google Maps · +1-515-478-8615

Hana Ramen Sushi

Restaurant · Sushi · 4.0 mi

7450 South Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines

Open in Google Maps · +1 515-222-9998

Jethro's BBQ & Jambalaya

Diner · American · 2.5 mi

9350 University Avenue, West Des Moines

Open in Google Maps · +1 515-987-8686

Mixed

Restaurant · Sandwich · 2.6 mi

9250 University Avenue, West Des Moines

Open in Google Maps · +1 515-518-2060

Pho Shobu

Restaurant · Vietnamese · 2.9 mi

8950 University Avenue, Waukee

Open in Google Maps · +1 515-300-2260

Pizza Ranch

Restaurant · Pizza · 1.1 mi

448 Southeast University Avenue, Waukee

Open in Google Maps · +1-515-978-6603

63 more on the map.

History

Waukee was laid out as a town in 1869. It is thought to be named after The Milwaukee Road Railroad. Waukee was incorporated on December 23, 1878.

From the History section of Waukee, Iowa on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay11

Churches and places of worship12

Advertisement

Shopping9

Gas and EV charging18

Schools, colleges and libraries33

Advertisement

Healthcare8

Map of Waukee

205 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

20°40°60°80°January: 1.1 in of rainFebruary: 1.3 in of rainMarch: 2.2 in of rainApril: 4.0 in of rainMay: 5.2 in of rainJune: 5.3 in of rainJuly: 3.8 in of rainAugust: 4.2 in of rainSeptember: 3.2 in of rainOctober: 2.8 in of rainNovember: 1.9 in of rainDecember: 1.6 in of rainJanuary: 31°FFebruary: 36°FMarch: 49°FApril: 62°FMay: 72°FJune: 82°FJuly: 86°FAugust: 84°FSeptember: 77°FOctober: 63°FNovember: 48°FDecember: 36°FJanuary: 14°FFebruary: 18°FMarch: 30°FApril: 41°FMay: 52°FJune: 62°FJuly: 66°FAugust: 64°FSeptember: 55°FOctober: 43°FNovember: 30°FDecember: 20°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan31°F14°F1.1 in9.4 in
Feb36°F18°F1.3 in10.2 in
Mar49°F30°F2.2 in4.4 in
Apr62°F41°F4.0 in1.2 in
May72°F52°F5.2 in0.2 in
Jun82°F62°F5.3 in0.0 in
Jul86°F66°F3.8 in0.0 in
Aug84°F64°F4.2 in0.0 in
Sep77°F55°F3.2 in0.0 in
Oct63°F43°F2.8 in0.5 in
Nov48°F30°F1.9 in2.7 in
Dec36°F20°F1.6 in7.9 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Des Moines Intl Ap Gsn 72546 (12 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$101,029median household income
$350,500median home value
$1,383median monthly rent
34.7median age
58.0%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
66.5%of homes are owner-occupied
19.8 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1827%18 to 3423%35 to 6438%65 and over11%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Dallas County has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.

  • 2024-05-24: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2020-08-17: Severe Storms (Severe Storm)
  • 2020-03-23: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2019-03-23: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
  • 2018-08-20: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Severe Storm)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 12 miles away.

  • Clive 4 mi east, about 7 min by car
  • Urbandale 6 mi northeast, about 10 min by car
  • Grimes 7 mi northeast, about 12 min by car
  • Johnston 11 mi northeast, about 17 min by car
  • Norwalk 12 mi southeast, about 19 min by car
  • Des Moines 14 mi east, about 23 min by car
  • Ankeny 18 mi northeast, about 28 min by car
  • Pleasant Hill 20 mi east, about 31 min by car
  • Altoona 21 mi east, about 34 min by car
  • Indianola 23 mi southeast, about 37 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

Loading what members have shared...

Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.