NEIGHBORSCORE

Van Meter, Iowa · ZIP 50261

Van Meter — ZIP 50261

Crime DataSchools

Van Meter (50261) scores 94/100 — Excellent for Iowa. Safety: Lower reported-crime rate under the available data tier. Schools: Higher reported proficiency and grade-band coverage. A premium market - pricier than most of the state. The typical home value here is $424K.

94OUT OF 100

Overall NeighborScore

AExcellent

Tap a tab to compare 50261 against its city, state, or the nation.

Lower reported-crime rate under the available data tier.

Safety index95/100
Violent crime share0%
Property crime share100%

Higher reported proficiency and grade-band coverage.

School index92/100
Avg math proficiency85%
Avg reading proficiency92%
Schools nearby3

A premium market - pricier than most of the state.

Affordability index31/100
Typical home value$424K

How this score is calculated: the NeighborScore composite weights crime 53% and schools 47%, each normalized to the local area. Home affordability is shown for context and is not factored into the overall score. Sources & methodology →

Last refreshed — Schools: Aug 2026 · Real estate: Aug 2026 · Demographics: Jun 2026

Nearby Neighborhoods

Not the right fit? See how adjacent ZIPs score — tap to jump over.

De Soto, IowaDe SotoZIP 50069
77▼17 vs here
Cumming, IowaCummingZIP 50061
71▼23 vs here
Waukee, IowaWaukeeZIP 50263
83▼11 vs here
West Des Moines, IowaWest Des MoinesZIP 50266
64▼30 vs here

Real Estate Snapshot

Typical Home Value

$424K

Median Rent

—

Days on Market

—

Sale-to-List

—

Typical Home Value — 23 Months

Crime Overview

Total Incidents

81

Violent Crime

21

Property Crime

60

Crime statistics for this area are estimated from FBI-reported county-level data for Madison County, Iowa (2025). This ZIP does not yet have city-specific monthly crime data, so figures reflect the entire county rather than this ZIP alone.

Full Crime Report →

Nearby Schools

Grades
Van Meter Elementary SchoolPK–05578
88%
93%
Van Meter Middle School06–08252
84%
92%
Van Meter High School09–12316
82%
91%

Directory and latest enrollment: NCES Common Core of Data (SY 2024–25 where reported). Proficiency: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts SY 2021–22; state standards are not directly comparable.

Full School Report →

Demographics

Population

3,105

Median Income

$155K

Homeownership

86%

Median Age

40.3 yrs

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2024).

Map

Frequently Asked Questions

ZIP 50261 has a reported-crime score of 95/100. A higher score represents a lower reported-crime rate under the best available data tier for this ZIP; it is not a guarantee of safety. Review the crime report and current local police data before making a decision.
ZIP 50261 has a school score of 92/100. The index combines reported SY 2021–22 math and reading proficiency with grade-band coverage. Nearby or county-level estimates may be used where ZIP-level reporting is sparse, and state assessment standards are not directly comparable.
The latest home value or sale-price figure available for ZIP 50261 is approximately $424K. The profile identifies the underlying source; Zillow ZHVI is a typical home value measure, while Redfin data is a median sale-price measure. These are different metrics and may lag current listings.
ZIP 50261 in Van Meter has an overall NeighborScore of 94/100. It combines the crime score (53%) and school score (47%); affordability is context only. Use the component data and its coverage notes rather than treating the composite as a complete measure of livability.