Colfax is a city in Jasper County, Iowa, United States. Colfax is located approximately 24 miles east of Des Moines. The town was founded in 1866, and was named after Schuyler Colfax, vice president under Ulysses S. Grant. The population was 2,255 at the time of the 2020 census. Newton is the county seat; both were named after Revolutionary War soldiers.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code50054

Area codeSign in to add

Living in Colfax

Housing in Colfax

$192K▲ 3.8% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Colfax home is worth about $192,000, up 3.8% in a year, 20% below the Iowa typical home.

Only 3 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Colfax

Safety Grade A

Colfax reports less crime per resident than 89% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.

Violent crime per 1,000

Colfax 0.9

Iowa 2.4

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Colfax 2.2

Iowa 12

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Colfax

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Colfax for work: only 5% work in town. The top destinations are Des Moines (24%), West Des Moines (6%) and Ankeny (6%). Half commute less than 21 miles.

Des Moines

24%

West Des Moines

Ankeny

Altoona

5%Work in townlive and work in Colfax 21 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 327Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Colfax →

Health in Colfax

B⁺

Health Grade B+

Healthier than 66% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Iowa

1better than IA

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 31 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▲ 11 close Habits all close Care all close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

5.7%Fewer adults with heart diseaseIA 6.6% · better

Care nearby

Mercyone Newton Medical CenterNewton · 9.6 mi · ER

Primary Health Care - East Side ClinicDes Moines · 17.1 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Colfax · CMS · HRSAHealth in Colfax →

Natural hazards in Colfax

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 45% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes🌵 Drought

18Does Colfax flood?paid flood claims since 1984 8Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Colfax

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Colfax →

Climate in Colfax

Full climate →

Colfax has cold winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 12°, and about 29 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

33° / 16°Winter

60° / 39°Spring

83° / 62°Summer

63° / 41°Fall

How much snow does Colfax get?About 29 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 17, with the last in spring around Apr 22.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.7° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Colfax →

Schools in Colfax

All Colfax schools →

B⁻

School Grade B-

The public schools Colfax’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 55% of Iowa’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictColfax-Mingo Comm School DistrictSchools2

Colfax-Mingo Elementary School B-Elementary · Grades PK–6 · 399 students Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School C-High · Grades 7–12 · 287 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within IA. Ratings are from neighbors.