Pleasant Hill water tower, 2010
Pleasant Hill’s story
70 years in pictures
Census counts: 397 in 1960, 10,147 in 2020. The archive holds 3 old photos and papers going back to 2004 and 4 maps from 1905 on.
- 1956Pleasant Hill is settled
Photo: Pleasnthillparks · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
11,239
2025 Census estimate · +10.7% since 2020
Typical home
$303K
+0.2% in a year
Household income
$91K
median
Median age
39.5
years
Jobs based here
3,133
A commuter town
TownGrade
C−
#116 of 140 in IA
Is Pleasant Hill a good place to live?
Pleasant Hill's public schools trail 96% of Iowa towns on state tests and graduation. Overall it grades C−, ranked 116th of 140 in Iowa. Natural-hazard risk is low. Only 15 of Iowa’s 276 towns score lower on cost of living. The biggest park or preserve is Copper Creek Lake Park, at 68 acres. Only 1 of Iowa’s 276 towns score lower on history.
What makes Pleasant Hill stand out
Where Pleasant Hill beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
Natural hazardsA
Very low risk of storm and flood damage
FEMA National Risk Index.
Southeast Polk Comm School District
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Four Mile Elementary | PK–5 | 495 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School | PK–5 | 241 |
| Southeast Polk Junior High | 8–9 | — |
Worth knowing · SchoolsD−
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
A growing town
Pleasant Hill has grown 28% since 2010
8,785 counted in 2010 and 10,147 in 2020; an estimated 11,239 in 2025.
Growth hasn’t slowed: 10.7% since 2020, after 15.5% in the decade before.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Pleasant Hill grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Iowa), ordered by how far Pleasant Hill is from typical.
Its grades run from A for hazard risk (better than 86% of comparable towns) to D− for schools (better than 4%), so the C− overall blends very different results.
SchoolsD−Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 17% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listAOpen →Cost of livingCOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8.8 of 20; 1.4% of households have no car; 1.4% of workers walk, bike or ride transitBOpen →Jobs & incomeBOpen →HealthMercyone Des Moines Medical Center 6.2 miles awayB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors6 miles of trails; 3% conserved landB+Open →HistoryD−Open →Civic life3.9 library visits per resident; 3 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 19 attractions →Casey's Center and 16 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Pleasant Hill. Close and well known come first.
6 mi Stadium & arenaCasey's Center4 mi Theme parkAdventureland
5 mi MuseumIowa State Capitol
9 mi MuseumDes Moines Art Center
8 mi Zoo & aquariumBlank Park Zoo
8 mi Stadium & arenaDrake StadiumSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Casey's Center: Iowahwyman at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Iowa State Capitol: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain · Des Moines Art Center: Nhandler at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Blank Park Zoo: Lawrence Lansing, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Drake Stadium: U.S. Navy photo by James Woods, Public domain
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Pleasant Hill: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Pleasant Hill, and how to reach them.
PowerMidAmerican Energy11.2¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterDes Moines Water WorksNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet9 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpTown’s haulerMetro Waste Authority (MWA) picks up at the curb for every homeTown site
SchoolsSoutheast Polk Community School DistrictDes Moines Independent Community School District2 districts serve Pleasant Hill; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn Iowa you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections herePolk County AuditorPolk County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2026
ZIP code5032750327 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Pleasant Hill.
Pleasant Hill has colder winter nights than most of the country, though not than most of Iowa; it also has property taxes 1.7 times the Iowa norm.
SchoolsD−
For schools, Pleasant Hill earns a D−
Its public schools are run by the Southeast Polk Community School District. Two of its 4 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Southeast Polk High School, with 1,722 students.
4%of IA districts it outscoresD−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four Mile ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–5 | Grades PK–5 | 495 | B+ |
| Southeast Polk High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 10–12 | Grades 10–12 | 1,722 | B− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within IA on state tests and graduation
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A
Inland flooding leads a very low hazard risk in Pleasant Hill
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 83% of U.S. communities. Since 2008, 11 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Pleasant Hill.
17risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesStrong wind
11
paid flood claims since 2008
7
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
OutdoorsB+
Pleasant Hill has set aside 2.6% of its land for conservation
5.6 miles of trail in 5 parks and preserves.
#49for trails in IA
| Pleasant Hill | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.5 miles per square mile | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 2.6% | 3.1% | 4.3% |
2.6%
conserved · 187 of 7,115 acres
5.6 mi
of trails · 0.5 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Doanes Park | 0.4 mi | 46 |
| 2. Copper Creek Lake Park | 0.1 mi | 68 |
| 3. Sunrise Park | — | 8 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B
About one in three of Pleasant Hill’s working residents commute to Des Moines
Most working residents leave Pleasant Hill for work: only 3% work in town. Jobs based in Pleasant Hill grew to 3,133 in 2023, 577 more than in 2013. At $91,000, Pleasant Hill’s median household income is where Iowa’s towns sit at $69,000 and U.S. towns at $80,000.
3%work in town
| Pleasant Hill | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working residents who work in town | 3% | 31% | 8% |
| Median household income | $91,000 | $69,000 | $80,000 |
| Average trip to work | 22 minutes | 19 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Work from home | 13% | 8.5% | 11% |
Where working residents work
In Pleasant Hill3%
Des Moines36%
West Des Moines12%
Ankeny8%
Urbandale5%
9 mi
median commute distance
3,133
jobs based in Pleasant Hill
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B
Walkability grade: more walkable than 62% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
HousingCost of living grade C
A typical Pleasant Hill home is worth about $303K
The median property tax bill is $4,807, against $2,897 across Iowa, another input to its cost-of-living grade.
The typical Pleasant Hill home is worth about $303,000, about the same as a year ago, 28% above the Iowa typical home. 78% of Pleasant Hill households own their home, above both the Iowa town median (70%) and the median of U.S. towns (73%). The median rent in Pleasant Hill is $1,215 a month.
$303KZillow home value
| Pleasant Hill | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 78% | 70% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,215 a month | $909 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Pleasant Hill$303K
Iowa$237K
Market temperature
34
days on market
99.4%
sale-to-list price
+0.2%
value change, 1 year
13
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Climate
Pleasant Hill has four seasons and pleasant summers
January nights average 13.1°: colder than most of the country, but milder than 76% of Iowa places with climate records; July afternoons average 85.3°.
Pleasant Hill has cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Pleasant Hill’s January low is 13°F. About 37 inches of snow falls in a winter.
37″snow a winter
| Pleasant Hill | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January low | 13°F | 12°F | 22°F |
| July high | 85°F | 84°F | 85°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter16–34°
Spring40–61°
Summer63–83°
Fall42–63°
Oct 20
typical first frost
Apr 18
typical last frost
+0.5°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Safety
Crime reported in Pleasant Hill
Pleasant Hill's reported crime rate is below Iowa's. Among 115 Iowa towns, just 8 have a lower violent crime rate than Pleasant Hill. Most reported incidents are property crimes, mainly thefts.
| Pleasant Hill | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0.4 per 1,000 residents | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 7.6 per 1,000 residents | 7.2 | 9.9 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Pleasant Hill0.4
Iowa2.4
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Pleasant Hill7.6
Iowa12.1
U.S.15.5
5
violent crimes reported in 2025
94
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Who lives here
An age mix much like Iowa’s
No broad age group is more than 4 points off the Iowa average. Pleasant Hill has grown 11% since 2020, to 11,239 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. 36% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in Pleasant Hill.
39.5median age · IA 38.6
| Pleasant Hill | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 25% | 23% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 36% | 25% | 29% |
| Aged 65 or older | 20% | 19% | 18% |
Pleasant HillIowaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
14%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma1%
High school28%
Some college21%
Associate’s14%
Bachelor’s25%
Graduate11%
Women and men · all residents
55% women, 45% men
About 83 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±2.4 points). Across Iowa, 49.8% of residents are women.
| Pleasant Hill | IA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 13.6% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 11.9% | 10.7% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 7.5% | 10% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 12% | 12.5% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 13.2% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 9.8% | 11.3% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 12.1% | 12.6% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 12.7% | 10.6% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 7.2% | 7.6% | 7% |
| No diploma | 1.1% | 6.7% | 10.4% |
| High school | 28.1% | 30% | 26% |
| Some college | 20.8% | 19.7% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 14.4% | 12.1% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 24.7% | 20.9% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 10.8% | 10.5% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HealthB−
On CDC estimates, Pleasant Hill is healthier than 53% of U.S. towns
Pleasant Hill beats the Iowa average on 1 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 0. 20% of Pleasant Hill adults binge drink.
53%healthier than U.S. townsB−Health Grade
| Pleasant Hill | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 20% | 16% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 77% | 78% | 79% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 33% | 32% | 36% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 16% | 17% |
32 measures vs. Iowa
1 better31 too close to call0 worse
| What stands out | Pleasant Hill | IA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 8% | 11.6% |
Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center
6.2 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
47th
percentile among IA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Pleasant Hill
19pages on Pleasant Hill
The big questions
SchoolsD−Behind 96% of IA districts · 4 schoolsSafety0.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthB−Better than IA on 1 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC$303K typical home · up 0.2% in a yearWork & commuteB$91K median household income · 3,133 jobs hereNatural hazardsAFEMA risk higher than 17% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
5 within 15 miles of the center of Pleasant Hill
Grand View UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Des Moines5.2 mi$34,762 tuitionMercy College of Health SciencesUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Des Moines6.3 mi$17,664 tuitionDes Moines Area Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Ankeny9.3 mi$5,790 in-state tuition
About 4 of every 100 Pleasant Hill residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Iowa.
A commuter town
97% of working residents leave Pleasant Hill for work
Where Pleasant Hill’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
3,133jobs based in Pleasant Hill
3%of working residents work in town
9 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Pleasant Hill
City in Iowa, United States
Pleasant Hill is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 10,147 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Des Moines metropolitan area. As of July 2005, Pleasant Hill was assigned a ZIP code, 50327.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1956
- Area
- 9.4 sq mi
- Elevation
- 876 ft
- ZIP code
- 50327
- Area code
- 515
Pleasant Hill’s neighbors
2 towns share a border with Pleasant Hill.
Des MoinesAltoonaPleasant Hill
How the neighbors grade
| Town | IA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill | #116 | C− | C | — | D− | B− |
| Des Moines | #134 | D | B− | D | D− | C |
| Altoona | #85 | B− | C | C+ | B+ | B |
Pleasant Hill reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare Pleasant Hill with a neighbor →
Questions about Pleasant Hill
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Pleasant Hill, IA a good place to live?
Pleasant Hill grades C− overall, better than 19% of U.S. towns and #116 of 140 in Iowa. It grades B− for health and D− for schools. Schools is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Pleasant Hill, IA expensive?
That is 3.5 years of the area's median household income ($85,890 across the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C.