Heavy metal accumulation in soils is a major environmental concern in many urban areas in the United States. This study was undertaken to assess heavy metal concentrations and accumulation in Ankeny, a rapidly growing suburb of Des Moines, Iowa. ArcMap was used to delineate residential areas on aerial photos from nine time periods, ranging from pre 1939 to 2005.  Soil samples were collected at three depths (0^_5, 5^_10, and 10^_20 cm) by taking a composite of five 2^_cm diameter cores from 90 sites within the Ankeny City limits. Each composite sample was ground to pass a 2^_mm mesh sieve, and a subsample was air^_dried and ground to pass an 80^_mesh sieve (<180 µm), which was digested with HNO₃-H₂SO₄^_HClO₄.  The digest was analyzed for the following heavy metals: As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The soil samples were also analyzed for particle^_size distribution, bulk density, pH, and total C. Results obtained will be presented and the impact of urbanization on heavy metal distribution will be assessed.