Atlantic is a quiet riverside town with strong economic prospects
Atlantic rolls along the bank of the East Nishnabotna River in Iowa, roughly midway between Des Moines and Omaha, Nebraska. The population — currently around 6,700 — has recently declined, but Cass Health and Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company provide hundreds of jobs, and economic progress is brewing. “We’re starting a new housing development in conjunction with a day care center and an addition to our YMCA,” says Deborah Waterbury, a Realtor and broker with Atlantic Home Realty. “There are people who commute to Omaha or Des Moines — those are close for stuff we don’t have here — but it’s quiet, we don’t have traffic jams, and it’s a nice community to raise the kids.”
Housing options range from fixer-uppers to split-levels
Most of Atlantic’s residential streets are hilly and narrow, with rustic sidewalks shaded by mature trees. Properties typically measure under a quarter-acre, and some homes are built atop small knolls. Driveways are standard features for newer homes, but some cars park on the street, making it difficult for two cars to pass at once. Fixer-uppers cost around 40,000 to $75,000, and small midcentury ranch-style homes, condos and early-1900s National builds sell for $75,000 to $150,000. Foursquares and Craftsman-style homes sell for $170,000 to $200,000, but most larger split-level and two-story houses cost $200,000 to $425,000. Vision Atlantic, a nonprofit dedicated to the city’s economic growth, has invested nearly $50 million in the Camblin Hills Housing Development, slated for completion by summer 2026. The project should add about 140 townhomes, duplexes and single-family homes to the market.
Schools and sports programs serve kids from pre-K to high school
Washington Elementary School receives a Niche grade of B and serves students from prekindergarten through Grade 3, while students in grades 4 and 5 attend the B-minus-rated Schuler Elementary School. Atlantic Middle and High Schools are both rated B-minus. High school students can participate in the 3A Hawkeye 10 Conference for sports like cross-country, football and swimming. Vision Atlantic is investing over $11 million in a new childcare center with STEAM facilities, dramatic play opportunities and educational activities for children up to five years old.
Fishing, skating and swimming at Atlantic parks
A paved multiuse trail runs along the riverbank at the Schlidberg Recreation Area. Memorial benches, picnic tables, boat launches, fishing spots and a creative playground can be found along the way. Buck Creek Dog Park is also nearby and offers separate fenced areas for large and small pups. Sunnyside Park is an expansive green space with a campground, picnic areas, disc golf, a skate park and a swimming pool. Near downtown, Atlantic City Park features a memorial statue and plenty of shady spots for relaxing. The courses at Nishna Hills Golf Club and Atlantic Golf & Country Club are open to the public. Another Vision Atlantic project is in the works to add a 70-seat movie theater, dedicated senior and youth spaces and a children’s museum to the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. As with the other projects, these upgrades should be complete by late 2026.
Atlantic’s main corridor blends history, shopping and dining
Feathery green trees line Chestnut Street, Atlantic’s main downtown thoroughfare. A bronze statue of a man driving a horse and plow commemorates the city’s 150th birthday, which was celebrated in 2018. Shops and boutiques sell clothing, jewelry, hardware, appliances, furniture and other home goods. Specialty brews and baked goods are available at coffeegirl, and Plaza Azteca serves Mexican favorites in a vibrant setting. Fareway Meat and Grocery is two blocks away, but more groceries and essentials are available at Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter on the eastern side of the city.
Seasonal events with carnivals, Coca-Cola and winter magic
In August, AtlanticFest sweeps into town with a carnival, vendors, crafters and a fun run. The Chamber of Commerce hosts a tailgate party and car show in honor of September’s Coca-Cola Days. Christmas in Atlantic kicks off in November with a “Scrooge Contest” fundraiser, followed by a parade, a tree-lighting ceremony, fireworks, horse-drawn carriage rides and impressive light displays.
Residents can access medical transport and major highways
Atlantic is home to Cass Health, a medical facility offering a wide range of services, including a cancer center. Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) provides medical and student transportation, on-demand weekday shuttle service and workforce transport to the OSI Plant in Oakland, about 25 miles away, and the Monogram Plant in Harlan, roughly 30 miles away. Travelers are about 60 miles from Eppley Airfield in Omaha, which is served by Amtrak trains on the California Zephyr route. U.S. Route 6 provides the best starting point for the drive to Omaha, while Route 71 links to Interstate 80 for the 80-mile trip to Des Moines.
River rarely floods, but train noise may affect nearby homes
Although the East Nishnabotna River flows along the city’s western edge, Waterbury says that flooding isn’t an issue. “It would take a real heavy rain for it to flood here,” says the Atlantic resident. “Most of that is on the city limits, so it doesn’t affect many houses.” Freight trains on the Iowa Interstate Railroad run through town daily, so noise could be an issue for homes near the tracks.
