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Ankeny, IA

Frequently asked questions

Ankeny, IA

Ankeny is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States, and a suburb of the state capital of Des Moines, as part of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan statistical area. As of the 2020 census, the population of Ankeny was 67,887, making it the seventh most populous city in the state. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa. Currently, the city's incorporated area totals 29.14 square miles.

Ankeny was founded as an agrarian community on April 22, 1875, by John Fletcher Ankeny and Sarah "Sally" Ankeny (née Wolgamot) on eighty acres purchased on July 11, 1874, for US$1,600. The town, a single square mile, was formally incorporated on February 28, 1903. 

The railroad was eventually laid from Des Moines to Ames, via Ankeny. This rail was completed in 1874 and passenger service was established on July 11, 1880, for 33 cents. In the 19th century, the city's industry was primarily agriculture — specifically sorghum and swine production. The former was processed at a nearby mill, while the latter was driven to the market at Keokuk, Iowa

Ankeny is located in north-central Polk County. It is bordered on the east by Interstate 35, with U.S. Route 69 running through the center of the town. Most of the area of Ankeny is dry land with a small number of park ponds and streams. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.33 square miles (75.96 km²), all land. The City itself states that 29.14 square miles (75.5 km²) of that land is incorporated.

Like most of Polk County, Ankeny exists at the bottom area of the Des Moines Lobe, a topographical landscape area, in an area known as the Bemis Advance. The Lobe was formed during the Wisconsin glaciation leaving significant deposits resulting in an area with low relief.

The upper sediments Ankeny sits upon are primarily a variable mixture of silt, sand, gravel, and loam types less than 8 meters in depth. The water table is seasonally elevated. The bedrock the city sits on is part of the Cherokee Group and is composed of primarily grey shale and sandstone, with secondary black shale, coal, and mudstone.

Ankeny, IA, offers a diverse array of health and wellness activities for its residents. MercyOne Ankeny Family Medicine Clinic offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Legacy Fitness Ankeny offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For fitness enthusiasts, the YMCA of Greater Des Moines provides a comprehensive range of programs including group fitness classes, swimming, and personal training. Fitness Ankeny 24-7 features state-of-the-art equipment, personal training, and specialized fitness programs to help individuals achieve their health goals. Yoga enthusiasts can join classes at YogaSix Ankeny to enhance flexibility and mental well-being. Ankeny’s extensive network of parks and trails, such as High Trestle Trail, provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and running, enhancing physical fitness and well-being. 

The top sites in Ankeny, IA are Ankeny Miracle Park, Otter Creek Golf Course, and Ankeny Art Center.

Population: 72,222 (2022). ZIP Codes: 50023. Area code: 515. Elevation: 988 ft (301 m). Area: 30.47 sq mi (78.92 km²).

FAQs

What is Ankeny, IA famous for?

In the early 20th century, coal mining became significant as many companies opened shafts and mines near the city in 1903, 1907, and 1908. The Enterprise Coal Company utilized Ankeny as a company town and went on to produce over 100,000 tons of coal in 1914, ranking among the top 24 coal producers in the state. In 1912, United Mine Workers Local 2476 in Ankeny had 246 members, over half of the total population at the time, and Local 2511 in Enterprise had 395 members

What is Ankeny, IA crime rate?

The crime rate in Ankeny is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although, at 13 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Ankeny is 1 in 79. Based on FBI crime data, Ankeny is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Iowa, Ankeny has a crime rate that is higher than 82% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

What are the demographics of Ankeny, IA?

Ankeny, IA is home to a population of 68.4k people, from which 97.5% are citizens. As of 2022, 4.9% of Ankeny, IA residents were born outside of the country (3.35k people). In 2022, there were 27.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (60.6k people) in Ankeny, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.24k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 2.15k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Sources

Ankeny, Iowa - Wikipedia

City of Ankeny

Neighborhood Scout

Data USA

Ankeny Miracle Park

Otter Creek Golf Course

Ankeny Art Center

MercyOne Ankeny Family Medicine Clinic

Legacy Fitness Ankeny

YMCA of Greater Des Moines

Fitness Ankeny 24-7

YogaSix Ankeny

High Trestle Trail

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