Where is Johnston, Iowa, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Johnston Located? - Johnston is a city located in the Polk County of Iowa, United States. Johnston lies between 32.5160 Degrees North latitudes and 93.7321 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Johnston, Iowa

Where is Johnston, Iowa

Johnston Map, Iowa, USA

Where is Johnston?: The Google Map showing the location of Johnston in the U.S. state of Iowa.

Where is Johnston Located?

Johnston is a city located in the Polk County of Iowa, United States. Johnston lies between 32.5160 Degrees North latitudes and 93.7321 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Johnston city is 24064 people and the city has a total area of 16.75 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Johnston, Iowa Quick Facts

Property Information
CityJohnston
CountyPolk County
StateIowa
State CapitalDes Moines
US RegionMidwestern United States
Latitude41.6730° N
Longitude93.6977° W
Elevation928 ft (283 m)
Land Area18.37 sq mi
Water Area0.17 sq mi
Total Area18.54 sq mi
Population (latest Census year)24,064 (2020 Census)
Population DensityApproximately 1,310 per sq mi
ZIP Code50131
Area Code515
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUS Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code19-41115
Congressional DistrictIowa's 3rd Congressional District

Nearby Cities to Johnston, Iowa

  • Urbandale, Iowa - South - 3 mi
  • Grimes, Iowa - West - 5 mi
  • Des Moines, Iowa - Southeast - 9 mi
  • Clive, Iowa - South - 7 mi
  • Windsor Heights, Iowa - South - 8 mi
  • Ankeny, Iowa - East - 10 mi
  • West Des Moines, Iowa - Southwest - 10 mi
  • Waukee, Iowa - West - 11 mi
  • Altoona, Iowa - East - 18 mi
  • Perry, Iowa - Northwest - 34 mi

Driving Distances from Johnston, Iowa

City State Distance (mi) Approx. Drive Time
UrbandaleIowa37 minutes
GrimesIowa510 minutes
CliveIowa712 minutes
Windsor HeightsIowa815 minutes
Des MoinesIowa915 minutes
AnkenyIowa1018 minutes
West Des MoinesIowa1018 minutes
WaukeeIowa1120 minutes
AltoonaIowa1825 minutes
PerryIowa3440 minutes

Transportation and Connectivity in Johnston, Iowa

Transportation Details
Airport NameDes Moines International Airport
IATA CodeDSM
PortNot Applicable
Major HighwaysInterstate 80, Interstate 35, Iowa Highway 141, NW 86th Street
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo passenger rail service; nearest Amtrak station is Osceola, Iowa
Local Bus/Transit ServiceDes Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART)
  • Interstates 35 and 80 provide excellent regional connectivity to Minneapolis, Kansas City, Omaha, and Chicago.
  • Iowa Highway 141 and NW 86th Street connect Johnston with Des Moines and neighboring suburbs.
  • Des Moines International Airport, approximately 15 miles south, offers regular domestic passenger service.
  • DART provides public bus service connecting Johnston with downtown Des Moines and surrounding communities.
  • Johnston is known for its high quality of life, corporate headquarters, recreational trails, and the Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center.

What are top Places to Visit in Johnston, Iowa

Landmark Name Type
Camp Dodge MuseumMilitary Museum
Terra Lake ParkCity Park
Johnston CommonsCommunity Park
Saylorville LakeRecreation Area
Big Creek State ParkState Park
Living History FarmsOpen-Air Museum
Jester ParkCounty Park
Des Moines Botanical GardenBotanical Garden
Gray's Lake ParkUrban Park
High Trestle TrailScenic Trail

Colleges and Universities in Johnston, Iowa

Institution Name Type Level Notable For
Drake UniversityPrivateUniversityLaw, business, pharmacy, journalism, education, and liberal arts
Grand View UniversityPrivateUniversityBusiness, nursing, education, liberal arts, and athletics
Des Moines Area Community College (Ankeny Campus)PublicCommunity CollegeAssociate degrees, workforce training, healthcare, information technology, and transfer programs
Iowa State UniversityPublicResearch UniversityEngineering, agriculture, business, veterinary medicine, and scientific research
Johnston Community School DistrictPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary public education serving Johnston

Waterbodies in Johnston, Iowa

Beaver Creek, Des Moines River, Saylorville Lake, Big Creek Lake, Terra Lake, Fourmile Creek, Walnut Creek, Raccoon River

Golf Courses in Johnston, Iowa

Hyperion Field Club, Jester Park Golf Course, Beaver Creek Golf Club, Woodland Hills Golf Course, Waveland Golf Course, Briarwood Golf Club

Johnston, Iowa — Key Historical Facts

  • Johnston was established in the late nineteenth century as a small agricultural community along the Chicago Great Western Railway.
  • The city was named after John F. Johnston, a prominent local freight shipper and businessman who contributed to the area's early development.
  • Camp Dodge, established in 1909, became one of Iowa's most important military installations and remains the headquarters of the Iowa National Guard.
  • Rapid residential and commercial growth after World War II transformed Johnston into one of the fastest-growing suburbs of the Des Moines metropolitan area.
  • Today, Johnston is recognized for its excellent schools, expanding business parks, recreational amenities, and strong ties to the greater Des Moines region.

References

Iowa Related Maps and Info

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