RANK #363 / 996 · POP 52,709 · IA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.3%
Indianola, the county seat, is a notable town in Warren County, Iowa, known for hosting the National Balloon Classic, an annual hot air balloon event. Located in central Iowa, Warren County sits just south of Des Moines, making it part of the Des Moines metropolitan area. This proximity allows for a commute to the city while offering a community feel with rolling hills and natural scenery. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, with over 2,700 acres of parks and trails, including Lake Ahquabi for canoeing and fishing, and the Great Western Trail for hiking and biking. Life in Warren County often appeals to families and young professionals, with public schools generally performing above average. The local economy is experiencing growth, particularly in commercial and residential development, as well as the technology sector, including data centers. Efforts are also underway to support business retention and expansion, new business starts, and workforce development, aiming to capitalize on the region's expansion.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.6x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Proposed Norwalk Data Center Campus
Undisclosed Developer
|
$12,000M | Proposed |
|
Amazon Web Services Data Center (Project Steamboat)
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$3,000M | Planned |
|
Microsoft Data Center (Project Osmium)
Microsoft
|
$1,500M | Under Construction |
|
New Residential Developments (Multiple Communities)
Various Developers (e.g., D.R. Horton)
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Broadband Project
Warren County
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Warren County has a Boom Town Index score of 64/100, ranking #363 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.2% and a median household income of $89,741, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Warren County is $234,300 with median rent at $943/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.383, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.2%. Home values changed +2.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 6.26% of Warren County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.