09/10/2026
📖 History of Uptown: Ankeny Continues to Grow
As we reach the final chapter of our Uptown history series, we look at the incredible growth Ankeny has experienced since the beginning of the 21st century.
🏘️ In 2005, development began on Prairie Trail, a 1,000-acre community in the heart of Ankeny that brought new housing, businesses, and opportunities to the city. Ankeny’s population grew from approximately 28,000 residents in 2000 to more than 76,000 in 2024.
🏫 As the city continued to expand, new areas like The District were developed to meet the needs of one of Iowa’s fastest-growing communities. New schools, neighborhoods, businesses, and infrastructure followed, with growth continuing throughout the city.
🏢 Today, more than 30,000 businesses serve the Ankeny community, and the city continues to grow and evolve. Through all of this change, Uptown remains an important part of Ankeny’s history, preserving the character, businesses, and community connections that helped shape the city.
🌟 Growth is expected to continue well into the future, but Ankeny’s history will always be a part of what makes this community special.
John Fletcher Ankeny would be very proud of his little town.
Thank you for following along as we explored the history of Uptown Ankeny!
Credit goes to: Ankeny Area Historical Society
