My Local Guide

Fast-Growing Communities, Trails, Rivers, Iowa Roots

Dallas County, Iowa

Dallas County blends some of Iowa’s fastest-growing suburban communities with historic small towns, working farmland, river valleys, parks, trails, museums, and a strong connection to the Des Moines metro. Waukee, Adel, Perry, Dallas Center, Van Meter, and other communities give the county a mix of new development and long-established local character. Visitors and residents can bike nationally known trails, explore conservation areas, enjoy local events, and access a wide range of schools, health care, shopping, dining, and public services.

Dallas County at a Glance

Population118,457 (2025 estimate)
County SeatAdel
Largest CityWaukee
Established1847
ZIP CodesMultiple ZIP Codes across 18 incorporated cities
Total AreaAbout 592 sq. mi. total
Major RoutesI-80, I-35, U.S. 6, U.S. 169, Iowa 44, Iowa 141
Area Code515
Shop - Dine - Discover

Meet Local Businesses

Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

Elite Construction LLC advertisement
Greenfield County courthouse
Discover Dallas County

Dallas County

Dallas County was organized in 1847 and named for George Mifflin Dallas, vice president under President James K. Polk. Adel became the county seat and remains home to county government and a historic courthouse square. Over time, agriculture, railroads, highways, and proximity to Des Moines reshaped the county. Today, historic communities such as Adel, Perry, Redfield, Dexter, and Dallas Center exist alongside rapidly growing suburban areas including Waukee and portions of West Des Moines, Clive, Urbandale, and Grimes.

Life in Dallas County ranges from suburban neighborhoods and major shopping corridors to river valleys, bike trails, farm country, and small-town main streets. The Raccoon River Valley Trail and High Trestle Trail provide regional recreation, while county parks and museums preserve local landscapes and history. Residents also benefit from strong school districts, regional health care, easy interstate access, and employment tied closely to the expanding Des Moines metropolitan area.

What Shapes Us

Historic Roots

Courthouse squares, railroad towns, museums, restored depots, and pioneer-era sites connect Dallas County’s rapidly changing communities to a long local history.

Trails & Rivers

The Raccoon River system, prairie landscapes, forests, wildlife areas, and nationally known paved trails give the county strong year-round outdoor appeal.

Growth & Opportunity

Fast-growing communities, expanding schools, new housing, major employers, and metro access have made Dallas County one of Iowa’s leading growth centers.

Growing fast while keeping Iowa roots close.
My Local Guide

Dallas County

Our County - Our Stories
Dallas County Wire

Dallas County Wire

Local Stories - DailyPhoto Credits
Radio Iowa

Iowa Business Council survey shows postive outlook on state’s economy

The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released its third quarter Economic Outlook Survey that gauges the outlook for…

Read the Story Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Around Dallas County

Stories from every corner of Dallas County.

Iowa Business Council survey shows postive outlook on state’s economy

The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released its third quarter Economic Outlook Survey that gauges the outlook for…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Horror film fest is highlight of Ottumwa’s Halloweenapalooza

The leaves are starting to change color, pumpkins are appearing on porches, and a scare is in the…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Names of northeast Iowa boaters who died in Mississippi River accident released

The Iowa DNR has identified two northeast Iowa men who drowned after their fishing boat hit a submerged…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Iowa farmers didn’t get much field time last week waiting for drier conditions

The harvest didn’t advance much last week as farmers waited for fields to dry out. The lastest U.S.D.A.…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Celebrating Iowa 4H from calves and canning to astronomy and robots

This is National 4H Week, recognizing the accomplishments of the program that reaches more than 120,000 young people…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
DALLAS COUNTY WEATHER
Shop - Dine - Discover

Meet Local Businesses

Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

Elite Construction LLC advertisement
County Resources

Everything You Need. All in One Place.

Find trusted county, city, school, health, safety, recreation, transportation, library, court, veteran, and employment resources serving Dallas County’s fast-growing communities.

Government

Dallas County Government
County departments, supervisors, public notices, forms, services, and meeting information.
Official Website
Phone: 515-993-5801

Dallas County Departments
Directory for county offices and services.
Official Website

City of Adel
Municipal services and city information for the county seat.
Official Website

City of Waukee
Municipal services, city departments, development, parks, and community information.
Official Website

City of Perry
Municipal services and community information for Perry.
Official Website

State of Iowa
State agency directory and online services.
Official Website

We’re Here To Help.

Quick answers for visiting, living, exploring, and getting around Dallas County.

Helpful Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Get practical answers about trails, parks, local history, growing communities, recreation, dining, shopping, and everyday life in Dallas County.

Shop - Dine - Discover

Meet Local Businesses

Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

Elite Construction LLC advertisement
My Local Guide

Find Something Fun

Top Picks for Every Kind of Day

From paved trails and river valleys to historic downtowns, museums, parks, shopping, and local restaurants, Dallas County offers something for every pace.

Kids’ Fun

  1. Forest Park Museum & Arboretum
  2. Kuehn Conservation Area
  3. Waukee Parks & Recreation
  4. Adel Parks & Recreation
  5. Perry Parks & Recreation

Restaurants

  1. Rube’s Steakhouse – Waukee
  2. The HandleBar – Dallas Center
  3. Hotel Pattee Dining – Perry
  4. Billy Vee’s Italian Restaurant – Clive
  5. Brick Street Books & Cafe – Adel

Shopping & Retail

  1. Jordan Creek Town Center
  2. The Palms Theatres & IMAX
  3. Historic Downtown Perry
  4. Downtown Adel
  5. Downtown Waukee

Clothing & Boutiques

  1. Jordan Creek Town Center Shops
  2. Historic Downtown Perry Shops
  3. Adel Local Shops
  4. Waukee Local Retail
  5. West Des Moines Retail

Outdoor Fun

  1. Raccoon River Valley Trail
  2. High Trestle Trail
  3. Kuehn Conservation Area
  4. Forest Park & Arboretum
  5. Raccoon River Water Trails

Free Things To Do

  1. Forest Park Museum
  2. Voas Nature Area Museum
  3. Kuehn Conservation Area Trails
  4. Historic Downtown Adel
  5. Historic Downtown Perry
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.
County Guides

Explore More Counties

Pottawattamie County

Explore Pottawattamie County, Iowa with Council Bluffs attractions, Loess Hills parks, trails, museums, local resources, dining, shopping, events, and outdoor recreation.

 Warren County

Explore Warren County, Iowa, including Indianola, Norwalk, Carlisle, trails, parks, ballooning, local attractions, dining, shopping, resources, and county news.

 Madison County

Explore Madison County, Iowa with Winterset, famous covered bridges, parks, trails, museums, local resources, dining, shopping, events, and visitor information.

 Greene County

Explore Greene County, Iowa, including Jefferson, the Mahanay Bell Tower, Raccoon River Valley Trail, parks, history, dining, shopping, resources, and county news.
© 2026 My Local Guide