Walnut
RANK #937 / 996 NAT · #11 / 11 IA · POP 100,367
1YR FORECAST: -0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +9%
Dallas County, Iowa, stands out as one of the fastest-growing counties in the Midwest, known for its blend of agricultural roots and expanding urban amenities. Located west of Des Moines, the county seat is Adel, while Waukee is its largest city. Commuters to Des Moines typically face an average travel time of around 21 minutes. The Raccoon River Valley Trail, a popular destination for biking and hiking, runs through the county, offering extensive outdoor recreation opportunities alongside numerous parks and wildlife areas.
Life in Dallas County often appeals to families and young professionals, drawn by highly-rated public schools and a variety of housing options. The economy is experiencing growth, with increasing employment across various sectors. Recent developments indicate significant investment in technology infrastructure, including data centers, alongside continued expansion in manufacturing and the agricultural industry. This economic activity contributes to a changing landscape, balancing residential growth with ongoing business development.
Above national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Microsoft Data Center Campus (Van Meter)
Microsoft
|
$6,000M | Planned |
|
Apple Data Center Campus
Apple
|
$1,300M | Operating |
|
JBS Sausage Plant
JBS
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
ADR Axles Facility
ADR Axles
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Dallas County Administration Building
Dallas County
|
$26M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Dallas County scores just 5/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #937 of 996 counties. Job growth at +4.7% and median household income of $99,533 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Dallas County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $314,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,198/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Dallas County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.9% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +4.7% clip. Home values shifted -0.2% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 7.84% of Dallas County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.