$155,208Average Value$117Average Price per Sq Ft18Homes For Sale
Clarion’s school system and laid-back lifestyle attract buyers
A quiet atmosphere and a respected school system draw buyers to Clarion, an agricultural community of about 3,000 people in the heart of Wright County. The iconic four-leaf clover emblem of the 4-H Clubs of America originated in Clarion in 1907, and today the community’s agricultural heritage is on display at the Heartland Museum. “We’re a farm-based economy here in Clarion, so basically everything caters to farms," says Rodney Brooks, a Clarion native, resident, and co-owner and broker of North Iowa Real Estate. "When the farms are doing well, Clarion is doing well.” The community’s laid-back lifestyle is complemented by plentiful parks, including a new $10 million recreation center that’s in the works. “It’s a small town, so it takes a lot to get stuff like that built here, but we’re pretty progressive,” Brooks says.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School anchors the town’s northern edge.
Clarion neighborhoods showcase tree-lined streets and single-family homes.
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Easy access to Clarion-Goldfield-Dows School District
Kids may attend Clarion-Goldfield-Dows School District, which receives a B-minus rating from Niche. The district serves about 1,000 students from Clarion and surrounding rural communities, and having the schools in town is a major draw for residents, Brooks says. High schoolers enrolled in the Iowa Central Regional Career Academy in Eagle Grove can earn college credit while still in high school. Students commit to a year-long career pathway and attend classes at the career center five days a week throughout the school year.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School sits near athletic fields and open space.
Parking lines the south side of Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School.
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Clarion homes range from early 20th century styles to new builds
Buyers can find styles from the early 1900s — including cottage, American Foursquare, Victorian and National-style — as well as midcentury ranch-style and split-level houses. Some new construction by the high school has also started to draw buyers. “We do see some renovations of the Victorian houses in town, but realistically, if it’s not a new house, a lot of homes require updating,” Brooks says. Fixer-uppers can cost between $20,000 and $75,000, but most homes cost between $100,000 and $300,000 depending on age, size and condition. Brooks adds that Clarion also has a strong rental market. “A lot of people are buying the lower-cost houses and making them available to rent, which is another reason people come to Clarion, but it’s really filled up recently,” he says.
Older homes line quiet residential streets in Clarion.
Brick-front ranch homes sit along tree-lined streets in Clarion.
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Parks in town and lake recreation nearby
Five parks provide space to play and gather. Aquatic Center Park is the largest and the main hub of activity in town. The aquatic center features a lap pool and water slides, which draw visitors to Clarion. The adjoining park has pickleball courts, picnic tables and a playground. The parks department also hosts athletic programs for Clarion kids. “We’re close to Lake Cornelia for boating and recreation, and that’s next to Clarmond Country Club which has a really nice restaurant with sit-down dining,” Brook says. “We’re in proximity to about three or four lakes so there’s kayaking and canoeing.”
Lake Cornelia County Park provides trails and lake access year-round.
Lake Cornelia Park offers seasonal RV camping near the water.
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Coal-fired pizza and craft beer are popular in Clarion
The Wright County Courthouse anchors downtown Clarion’s small but robust collection of restaurants and boutiques. “We have a couple of local favorites, and one of them is Fuel,” Brooks says. “They’re a coal-fired pizza place, and they’re pretty well known around the north Iowa area for having car shows, bike shows and special events. It’s a hot spot. We also have a brewery in town called The Brü. They’re pretty well-known as far as the local beers that they create.” Brothers Market has groceries covered, while Clarion Locker offers custom meat processing, award-winning bratwurst and specialty goods such as boerewors, a South African-style sausage that pays homage to the owners’ roots. Shops like The Branded Bombshell and Italics Boutique offer retail options in town, but Fort Dodge has more variety.
Fuel offers casual dining and drinks in downtown Clarion.
Brothers Market provides groceries and essentials in Clarion.
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Less than an hour from Fort Dodge
Route 3 runs through the heart of town, and the community is about 20 miles from Interstate 35. Fort Dodge is roughly 40 miles away, while Des Moines and its international airport are about 100 miles away. Iowa Specialty Hospital is in town, providing emergency and specialty care. “They’re probably one of the premier hospitals in the state as far as knee replacements and orthopedics,” Brooks says. “People come from all over the state to Clarion to get those surgeries done.” Several active rail lines in town can cause occasional delays. Mild to moderate flooding in Clarion is a possibility, and streets and basements have flooded in the past. However, Brooks says significant flooding is rare.
Locals come together for Festival in the Park
“We have Festival in the Park every June, which is a large-scale community festival with food trucks and local singers at Gazebo Park,” Brooks says. Locals also look forward to the festival’s parade and pancake breakfast. Now in its third year, the Festival Cultural de Clarion celebrates the region’s diversity with music, food, folk dancing and kids activities. Faith is essential to daily life for many residents, and there are multiple denominations of churches in town, such as Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, First Lutheran Church, St. John’s Catholic Church and Iglesia Pentecostes Peniel.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
Photography Contributed By
Vladislav Sedykh
Video By
Joshua Kassabian
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cody Greenfield,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Clarion, IA sell after 88 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Clarion, IA over the last 12 months is $158,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this charming 2,736-square-foot split foyer, ideally located in one of Clarion’s most highly desirable neighborhoods in the northeast quadrant of town. Perfectly blending comfort, style, and convenience, this home is ready for you to move right in. 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, including a convenient private primary ensuite. Gorgeous up-to-date cabinets, premium countertops, and modern
Low-Maintenance One-Level Living | Walk to Main Street Welcome home to easy, effortless living! This 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom condominium gives you your weekends back with zero mowing and no snow to scoop. Perfectly positioned just steps from Main Street, local churches, and schools, this highly sought-after property offers the ultimate blend of comfort and convenience. • Features 4 bedrooms
High Point Land Company is honored to present this exceptional 77.24± acre farm located just south of Clarion in Wright County, Iowa. Offering a strong combination of highly productive farmland and recreational appeal, this property represents an outstanding opportunity for farmers, investors, first-time landowners, and 1031 exchange buyers alike.The farm features 67.40± tillable acres
Move in ready 2 bed, 2 bath condo with main floor utilities with appliances included. Unit has one car attached garage. Basement has been partially finished and has a large family room with home gym space behind it.
Welcome home to this custom-built, 3 bedroom ranch designed for comfort, convenience and modern living – all on one level with no stairs. The open concept living room, dining area and kitchen create a spacious inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for everyday living or entertaining. The flexible layout allows you to easily adapt the space for gatherings of any size. The private owners wing features
Everything is always sweeter at the Lake!!!! 458 surface acres of water. There are few opportunities to own a property at Elm Lake. This home offers an excellent view and is located across from state land, between the house and the lake, along with DNR boat access & great spots to fish. The open-concept ranch home features a bright white kitchen and dining area that flows seamlessly into the
Completely Remodeled Ranch with Room to Grow! Move right into this beautifully remodeled ranch that offers the style and comfort of a new home in an established Clarion neighborhood. With 1,876 square feet of thoughtfully designed main-floor living, this stunning 3-bedroom, 2-bath home has been updated from top to bottom with modern finishes and an open-concept floor plan perfect for everyday
Charming Corner Lot Bungalow - Perfect Canvas for Your Personal Touch! Discover the potential of this versatile 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home located on a spacious corner lot! Featuring a comfortable layout with two bedrooms upstairs and a convenient bedroom on the main floor, this property is ideal for first-time buyers, downsizers, or retirees. The heart of the home is a nice-sized, open kitchen
Ranch home offering over 1500 sq ft of living space on the main floor. 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, a large living room and another room great for office, storage or playroom. The large master bedroom has its own full bathroom and walk-in closet. The full basement it offers plenty of storage space, 1 non conforming bedroom, a workout room, another area for a family room or kids area. The garage offer
Discover an exceptional blend of comfort, style, and refined outdoor living in this beautifully updated 5-bedroom, 2-bath home located in one of Clarion’s most desirable neighborhoods. Thoughtfully designed and impeccably maintained, this property offers a rare opportunity to enjoy a resort-style lifestyle right at home. Step inside to a warm and inviting living space where natural light fills
Wake up to breathtaking water views in this unique 1-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2-story lakefront home. Designed to maximize natural light and waterfront living, this property is perfect as a year-round residence or a vacation getaway.Property Highlights:Unobstructed Views: Expansive windows line the lakeside, flooding the open-concept loft design with natural light and stunning water
This well-maintained ranch-style home is nestled on a peaceful, quiet street and offers the perfect blend of comfort, charm, and outdoor beauty. The spacious yard is surrounded by mature landscaping, featuring vibrant perennial gardens that provide color throughout the seasons and a tranquil pond that creates a relaxing backyard retreat. Inside, the main level features a spacious living room with
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