With a population of over 137,000, Cedar Rapids is the second-largest city in Iowa. Founded as a tiny mill town on the east side of the Cedar River, the area grew steadily, welcoming large numbers of Islamic, Czech and Slovak immigrants as the years passed. The manufacturing industry led to a massive population boom in the late 19th century, with the construction of some of the country’s largest, most modern plants. Today, as the largest corn-processing city in the world, Cedar Rapids straddles the line between agricultural business and state-of-the-art technology.
“Obviously, because of the state’s corn production, we’re a very agriculture-industry-heavy city,” says Jason Vestweber, a Realtor with Skogman Realty. On the other hand, he says, high-tech manufacturer Collins Aerospace is among the area’s top job creators. Other major employers include Transamerica, Hy-Vee, Nordstrom and Quaker Oats. The city employs 1,300 people, and the local school district employs nearly 3,000. St. Luke's Hospital and Mercy Medical Center employ over 5,000 people and have nearly 1,000 beds between the two of them.
Downtown Cedar Rapids and all it has to offer is a short drive from Bever Park.
Quaker Oats has a large factory just outside of Downtown Cedar Rapids, and employs thousands
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Choose from luxury condos and midcentury charm
The area’s median price for real estate is $200,000, below the national median in the low $400,000s. Downtown Cedar Rapids is known for its modern and refurbished condos with extensive amenities like city views and private pools. In Bever Park , enormous early 20th-century homes sit alongside some of the city's latest construction. Neighborhoods like Noelridge Park have midcentury designs, dominated by Cape Cods and ranch-style. "We have a niche market of midcentury, but there's a ton of historically significant Art Deco houses on the south side of town," says Cory Rath, a Realtor with Keller Williams Midwest Partners.
Condos in Downtown Cedar Rapids offer stylish urban living with city skyline views.
Oak Hill Jackson’s split-level homes offer spacious living areas across multiple levels.
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Over 100 parks with thousands of acres
The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department oversees nearly 4,200 acres of public land and facilities. These communal areas offer a variety of experiences, from educational to recreational. Morgan Creek Park is the site of an arboretum and butterfly garden, while Seminole Valley Park is home to a preserved 18th-century village and farm.
The city is perpetually involved in restoring and upgrading various local parks, particularly for younger residents. "One of our main goals is to get more playgrounds all over the city," says Kelli Albert, Utilities Communications Specialist with Cedar Rapids. The Trust For Public Land estimates that 66% of Cedar Rapids locals live within 10 minutes of a public park.
Kids in Bever Park can enjoy the large playground at Bever Park.
Morgan Creek Park's expansive grounds include an arboretum, butterfly garden, and trails.
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USA's only "Little Bohemia"
Celebrated as the country's only "Little Bohemia," Houby Days is an annual weekend celebration of Czech and Slovak heritage with live cultural music, dancing, beer gardens and a parade. The event takes place in the Historic Czech village and has been held for nearly 50 years.
Cultural institutions in the area include the National Czech and Slovak Museum, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Brucemore and the African American Museum of Iowa. Several theaters cluster near downtown, including Theatre Cedar Rapids, the Cedar Rapids Opera and the Paramount Theatre.
The city's Northwest Area is home to the Mother Mosque of America, the longest-standing mosque in the country. The mosque was built in 1934, but the Islamic community has been active in the city since the late 1800s.
The Cedar Rapids Kernels are a Minor League Baseball team that plays at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in the Taylor neighborhood. Cedar Rapids is home to several other local sports teams, with representatives from the U.S. Hockey League, the Indoor Football League and the United Premier Soccer League. The city's Parks and Recreation Department also hosts over 1,500 recreational activities annually.
Czech Village celebrates its rich heritage with charming shops and cultural events.
The Mother Mosque is the first and oldest surviving mosque in North America.
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Boutique shopping at the Czech Village City Market
Once the commercial district for Cedar Rapids' Czech and Slovak immigrants, the Czech Village City Market is now one of the most popular shopping zones in the city. This riverside bazaar has locally owned restaurants and an eclectic assortment of retail stores. "People tend to stick to their side of town for shopping, and there's plenty anywhere you go," says Rath.
Explore the vibrant heart of Czech Village, known for its unique boutiques and cafes.
Czech Village coffee shops like Cafe Saint Pio offer cozy corners to enjoy your favorite brew.
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High-ranked schools with spirit
Multiple school districts serve Cedar Rapids, with most of the area under the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Niche rates the district as a B, with additional accolades for its diversity and college prep programs. Linn-Mar and College Community School Districts serve small sections of the city, which have an A-minus and B-minus from Niche, respectively. “I could introduce you to people from all over the city, and they’ve all got a lot of pride in the high schools they graduated from,” says Vestweber. “There’s a lot of local school spirit.”
Mount Mercy is a private Catholic university founded in 1928 by the Sisters of Mercy. Its located in Mound View and has roughly 1,600 enrolled students and a prestigious Doctorate in Nursing program.
Franklin Middle School is located on 20th St NE in Cedar Rapids.
Linn-Mar Community Schools serve Marion and parts of northeastern Cedar Rapids.
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Easy access to Iowa City and Des Moines
Interstate 380 passes through Cedar Rapids, providing access to Des Moines, 130 miles west, and Iowa City, 30 miles south. “They’re in the process of expanding the corridor between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City from two to three lanes,” says Vestweber. Eastern Iowa Airport offers flights to Chicago, Denver, Dallas and Charlotte, with over a million travelers annually. Public transportation is provided by Cedar Rapids Transit, which has a bus system that travels all over the city.
Important to know
FBI reports show that violent and property crime rates in Cedar Rapids are higher than the national and state rates. In 2023, the city saw violent crime drop by 3% and property crime rise by 1%.
Cedar Rapids' varied climate gives it the nickname The City of Five Seasons. "The fifth one is the time we get to appreciate the other four," says Philip Platz, Communications Divisions Manager for the city. True to its nickname, the city has distinct freezing-cold winters and clear, muggy summers.
In 2008, Cedar Rapids experienced its most destructive flood in recorded history. The flood affected thousands of residents, with many losing their homes. A major derecho storm hit Cedar Rapids in 2020, uprooting a portion of the city's tree coverage and leaving some areas without electricity for over two weeks.
In response to these events, the city developed a flood control system to block the same amount of water brought on by the 2008 flood. In addition, Cedar Rapids created an organization dedicated to restoring damaged neighborhoods.
On average, homes in Cedar Rapids, IA sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Cedar Rapids, IA over the last 12 months is $248,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$244,900
Median Sale Price
$248,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$248,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$224,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$140,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
1,835
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$179
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
9,931
Number of Homes for Sale
80
Median Year Built
2014
Months of Supply
0.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,764
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,624
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,488
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
894
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
629
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,712
Cost of Living Comparison
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Cedar Rapids, IA
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Starry Elementary School
A-
Niche
#2 Westfield Elementary School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#3 Echo Hill Elementary School
A
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#4 Viola Gibson Elementary School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#5 Bowman Woods Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#6 Washington Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#7 Jackson Elementary School
B-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#8 Truman Elementary School
B-
Niche
#9 Prairie Hill Elementary School
C+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Mount Vernon Middle School
A-
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#2 Excelsior Middle School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Oak Ridge School
A-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#4 Harding Middle School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#5 Vernon Middle School
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#6 Prairie Point Middle School & Ninth Grade Academy
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
