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Home >> State of Iowa >> Polk County >> Ankeny >> Nearby CommunitiesIndex...

Nearest Communities to Ankeny,
Listed County-By-County

The purpose of this page is to identify those communities that are closest to Ankeny, on a County-by-County basis. To explain further, let's use the example from the Genealogy Helper Page for Ankeny:

We have great-grandparents who lived in a small city in the southeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

When doing our research, we make it a practice to expand our search by looking in neighboring counties in addition to the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the east contained birth and death records; the county to the south contained their burial records. If we hadn't checked the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

Keep in mind that when we give a distance, it's a 'straight-line' distance starting from Ankeny.<1>

If you're researching your genealogy, we hope that the following information helps.


Ankeny is located in Polk County.

The following 7 counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Polk County: Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story & Warren.

Our Gazetteer shows that there are 180 communities within 40 miles [64.4 km]<1> of Ankeny. Of these communities, 114 are located in counties other than Polk County.

We usually exclude communities where we still need to verify their location,<2> but for the purpose of this page, we have included the unverified ('unver') and historic ('hist') communities.

After starting with the home county for Ankeny (which is Polk County), we list the counties in alphabetical order and for each of those counties, the closest communities are listed in order of their distance from Ankeny

For the following list, only those counties that contain communities within 40 miles [64.4 km] are displayed.

  • Polk County   (where Ankeny resides)
    • County Website:   https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/
    • County Seat for Polk:   Des Moines
    • Genealogy Websites   ...
    • Nearest Communities to Ankeny   ...
      • These communities are listed by their distance from Ankeny.
      • Oralabor
        (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
        • Oralabor is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oralabor
      • Enterprise
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
        • Enterprise is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Enterprise
      • Quilhart ‑ Historic
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
        • Quilhart is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quilhart
      • Carney
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Saylor Station
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
        • Saylor Station is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saylor Station
      • Saylorville
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
        • Saylorville is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saylorville
      • Crocker
        (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
        • Crocker is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crocker
      • Saylor
        (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
        • Saylor is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saylor
      • Corydon ‑ Historic
        (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
        • Corydon is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Corydon
      • Elkhart
        (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Marquisville
        (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
      • Swanwood
        (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
        • Swanwood is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Swanwood
      • Continue List   (54 more) ...
        • Berwick
          (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
        • White Oak
          (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
          • White Oak is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White Oak
        • Camp Dodge
          (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
          • Camp Dodge is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Camp Dodge
        • Alleman
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
        • Polk City Junction
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
        • Polk City
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
        • Norwoodville
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
          • Norwoodville is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Norwoodville
        • Johnston
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
        • Bondurant
          (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
        • Country Estate Village
          (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
        • Bowsher
          (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
          • Bowsher is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowsher
        • Capitol Heights
          (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
          • Capitol Heights is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Capitol Heights
        • Lovington
          (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
          • Lovington is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lovington
        • Herrold
          (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
        • Easton Place
          (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
          • Easton Place is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Easton Place
        • Altoona
          (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
        • Andrews
          (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
        • Des Moines
          (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
        • Sheldahl
          (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
        • Pleasant Hill
          (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
        • Crestwood
          (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
          • Crestwood is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crestwood
        • Rider
          (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
          • Rider is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rider
        • Windsor Heights
          (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
        • Grimes
          (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
        • Santiago
          (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
        • Loring
          (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
        • East Des Moines
          (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
          • East Des Moines is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Des Moines
        • Carbondale
          (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
          • Carbondale is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carbondale
        • Rising Sun
          (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
        • Urbandale
          (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
        • Farrar
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
          • Farrar is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Farrar
        • Hastie
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
          • Hastie is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hastie
        • Clive
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
        • Valley Junction
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
          • Valley Junction is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Valley Junction
        • Mitchellville
          (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
        • Levey
          (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
          • Levey is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Levey
        • Millman
          (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
          • Millman is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millman
        • Ivy
          (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
          • Ivy is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivy
        • Ashawa
          (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
          • Ashawa is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashawa
        • Campbell
          (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
          • Campbell is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Campbell
        • Oakwood Station ‑ Historic
          (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
          • Oakwood Station is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakwood Station
        • Avon
          (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
          • Avon is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avon
        • Fort Des Moines
          (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
          • Fort Des Moines is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fort Des Moines
        • Woodland Hills
          (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
          • Woodland Hills is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodland Hills
        • West Des Moines
          (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
        • Avon Lake
          (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
          • Avon Lake is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avon Lake
        • The Meadows
          (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
          • The Meadows is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for The Meadows
        • South Ridge Estates
          (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
          • South Ridge Estates is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Ridge Estates
        • Commerce
          (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
        • Carlisle
          (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
        • Adelphi
          (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
        • Norwalk
          (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
        • Runnells
          (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
        • Ottawa
          (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
          • Ottawa is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ottawa
  • Boone County
    • County Website:   https://www.boonecounty.iowa.gov/
    • County Seat for Boone:   Boone
    • Genealogy Websites   ...
    • Nearest Communities to Ankeny   ...
      • These communities are listed by their distance from Ankeny.
      • Madrid
        (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Napier
        (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
        • Napier is located in Boone County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Napier
      • Luther
        (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Ericson
        (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
        • Ericson is located in Boone County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ericson
      • Jordan
        (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Moingona
        (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Boone
        (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Coal Valley
        (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
        • Coal Valley is located in Boone County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coal Valley
      • Logansport
        (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
        • Logansport is located in Boone County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Logansport
      • Berkley
        (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Centerville
        (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
        • Centerville is located in Boone County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Centerville
      • Ogden
        (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Angus
        (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
        • Angus is located in Boone County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Angus
  • Dallas County
  • Jasper County
  • Madison County
  • Marion County
  • Marshall County
  • Story County
  • Warren County
    • County Website:   https://www.warrencountyia.gov/
    • County Seat for Warren:   Indianola
    • Genealogy Websites   ...
    • Nearest Communities to Ankeny   ...
      • These communities are listed by their distance from Ankeny.
      • Lakewood
        (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
      • Orillia
        (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Scotch Ridge
        (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
        • Scotch Ridge is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scotch Ridge
      • Cumming
        (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
      • Summerset Junction ‑ Historic
        (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
        • Summerset Junction is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summerset Junction
      • Summerset
        (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
        • Summerset is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summerset
      • Ford
        (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
        • Ford is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ford
      • Hartford
        (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Greenbush
        (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
        • Greenbush is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenbush
      • Spring Hill
        (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
        • Spring Hill is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Hill
        • Population from the 2020 Census: 65 people
      • Palmyra
        (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Prole
        (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
        • Prole is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prole
      • Continue List   (13 more) ...
        • Churchville
          (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
        • Indianola
          (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
        • Martensdale
          (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
        • Ackworth
          (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
          • Ackworth is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ackworth
          • Population from the 2020 Census: 105 people
        • Bevington
          (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
        • Conger
          (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
          • Conger is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conger
        • Wick
          (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
          • Wick is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wick
        • Beech
          (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
          • Beech is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beech
        • Sandyville
          (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
        • Clarkson ‑ Historic
          (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
          • Clarkson is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clarkson
        • Hammondsburgh ‑ Historic
          (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
          • Hammondsburgh is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hammondsburgh
        • Saint Marys
          (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
          • Saint Marys is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Marys
          • Population from the 2020 Census: 127 people
        • West Saint Marys
          (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
          • West Saint Marys is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Saint Marys

Footnotes ...

<1>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Ankeny) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<2>Our data comes from many sources and some sources are more dependable than others. When we add communities to our Gazetteer, we try to verify that we have the correct location for the community. We mark a community as 'Unverified' when we aren't confident about our data and want to do further checking.

We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now.

Since our Gazetteer contains over 100,000 communities, verifying everything is going to take time. If you find an error or can help us to improve our accuracy, please let us know.
<3>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.