Clive, IA

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Clive, population 17,506, is a city with a great future in sight! Located at the crossroads of two interstate highways (35 & 80), visibility and convenience are major corporate attributes of our community. Clive is currently developing 1,200 acres for residential and commercial development and is in the process of annexing an additional area for commercial and residential ventures.

Clive is a great place to live! According to Forbes magazine, comparing home costs around the country, Clive is the best address in Des Moines.

Clive offers the convenience and amenities of a big city with the lifestyle of living in the country, on the western edge of metro Des Moines. Visit the community, shop the stores and experience the beautiful greenbelt bike and walking trail. You will agree Clive is a great place to live, work and play.

Clive has exceptional housing developments and has been featured in five Home Shows. The Greenbelt Park runs through much of Clive offering a wide variety of recreational trails and opportunities, as well as providing wildlife habitat. Clive is where "good things are happening."

Clive is an old community, but a young city, incorporated on October 9, 1956. Maps dated in the 1870's first show Clive as a small settlement clustered around the intersection of Walnut Creek, a railroad and a county road. The community was an early rail shipping point and coal mining area. It was platted on January 18, 1882 by the Union Land Company. Four of Clive's first buildings still remain:

That question has been greatly debated! One theory is that the name "Clive" came from a British General, Robert Clive, who served in the late 1700's as administrator and founder of the British Empire in India. The other theory is that when the rail line was being constructed, there was a section gang foreman named "Clive" (unknown whether this was his first or last name). When a car at the main yard in Des Moines had been loaded with rails, ties, spikes, etcetera, the workers were told to get this car out to "Clive." Click here for more history on the City of Clive.