Coralville's strength is its shopping destinations
Tucked between serene North Liberty and bustling Iowa City, Coralville makes its name through its thriving commercial and entertainment centers. "When people think of Iowa City, they think that's the big city next door, but as far as shopping and restaurants, that's all in Coralville," says Anthony Detwiler, longtime local and community relations officer at the Coralville Police Department. Coral Ridge Mall is a statewide shopping destination, and Iowa River Landing is where thousands gather inside the Heartlanders' home ice hockey arena. Industry is also bright in the city. While the University of Iowa's healthcare system is a major employer for the area, Rockwell Collins, General Dynamics and Integrated DNA Technologies keep jobs close to home. Residential growth is booming along Coralville's interstates, which connect locals to the greater metro areas.
Coralville prides itself on a strong history and progression towards the future.
As a state-wide draw, Iowa River Landing continues to thrive and grow.
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Retail hubs and Heartlanders hockey
Shopping is the city's specialty, with commercial centers along most primary roads. Coral Ridge Mall stretches across the center of the city, offering more than 100 stores and a 1,000-seat food court. "I would say Coral Ridge Mall is the nicest indoor shopping center in all of Iowa. A lot of people travel to Coralville just to shop at the mall," says Detwiler. The mall is also home to The Iowa Children's Museum and an ice arena for year-round skating.
Iowa River Landing is another premier shopping area. Unsurprisingly along the riverfront, the center offers upscale restaurants, a seasonal farmers market and a University of Iowa medical clinic. It also has Xtream Arena, an epicenter for metro area sports. Thousands come to cheer on The Iowa Heartlanders and support youth hockey leagues. The facility also hosts state tournaments and concerts.
Visitors to Coral Ridge Mall can check out the expansive and varied options at the huge food court.
Xtream Arena hosts concerts and sporting events like Iowa Heartlanders hockey games.
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Housing growth throughout Coralville
Residential expansion is a major focus for the city. Hundreds of homes were built in the past 20 years, and more are planned. Condominiums are standard, but the demand for free-standing single-family homes is rising. These developments usually come in New Traditional or contemporary styles or as multi-story townhomes. Tucked between new construction are older homes from the 1960s in bungalow, bi-level and ranch-style designs. The median price for a Coralville home is around $340,000, lower than the national median of $407,000.
Townhomes and condos are a popular option for Coralville homeowners.
Newer homes in Coralville can have up to five bedrooms and three-car garages.
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Biking the trail system, snow or shine
Commuting to Cedar Rapids and Iowa City is quick, with immediate access to Interstate 80, Interstate 380 and Highway 6. The city recently reconstructed the diverging diamond at the 1st Avenue and Interstate 80 interchange to increase flow and capacity. Coralville's bus system also connects all over the metro area, and biking is another popular way to commute. "One of the biggest reasons that people move to Coralville is our bicycle-transit paths," Detwiler says. "It helps people not have to rely on driving all the time." Eastern Iowa Airport is the closest domestic airport at 17 miles away, with five airlines and about 20 destinations, though some are seasonal.
Sledding down Brown Deer Golf Club's courses
Coralville has more than 45 miles of recreational trails and wider-than-typical sidewalks. Trails are popular for mountain biking and hiking year-round, but winter converts some into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing terrain. Brown Deer Golf Club invites skiing, sledding and ice fishing when its hills and lakes freeze over. The city's parks offer diverse sports courts and play spaces, and Coralville Community Aquatic Center has the city's only seasonal outdoor pool. In summer, locals also head to Coralville Lake to swim, boat, camps and fish.
Coralville residents love to get outside and hit the trails, no matter the time of year.
Coralville Lake offers boating, beaches, campgrounds, and much more.
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University of Iowa around the corner
Iowa City Community School District serves most of Coralville, while the Clear Creek Amana Community School District serves a small portion near city limits. Iowa City District has an A rating on Niche, while Clear Creek Amana has a B. The city has a B-rated Kirkwood Community College campus, which Niche ranks as the third-best community college out of 15 in the state. Right outside Coralville is the A-rated University of Iowa. Ranked as the state's No. 1 college, it is world-renowned for its health sciences programs and Writer's Workshop, which has produced two Nobel Prize winners and eight U.S. poet laureates.
Kirkwood Community College has a building in Coralville in conjunction with the University of Iowa.
University of Iowa is the heartbeat of the Iowa City and Coralville area.
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The Aisle of Lights makes Coralville glow
While Coralville is just a quick drive from Iowa City events, the city has plenty of its own. In August, a block party takes over Fifth Street. Popular street dances from the mid-1900s are showcased while people enjoy live music and a classic car show. In winter, neighbors unite to create the Aisle of Lights, a tradition since 1980. People follow a glowing trail of paper luminaries set out by homeowners to admire holiday light displays throughout the city. Vetter's Culligan Water pairs an annual holiday light show with a hot chocolate drive-through, and BrrrFest invites people to explore local breweries and sample craft beer from across the Midwest each January.
Getting ahead of heavy snow and crime
Temperatures are moderate year-round, but snowfall can be heavy. "When it snows, our streets department is very good about getting ahead of the storm," says Detwiler. "They're out there every day staying on top of things while other cities are a mess." Flooding is not a major concern, although Clear Creek occasionally overflows. The city participates in the National Flood Insurance Program to mitigate damage.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, violent crime rates were lower than the national average in 2023. However, property crime rates remained above both the national and state averages. Detwiler says the Coralville Police Department has implemented diversion programs to engage with the community and lower property crime.
Written By
Isabel Butler
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Joshua Kassabian
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On average, homes in Coralville, IA sell after 83 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Coralville, IA over the last 12 months is $325,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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The Banks Student Living is a luxury student apartment community located in Coralville, IA, and seconds from I-80. Situated within walking distance from the Iowa River Landing, The Banks has countless shops, food, and entertainment nearby. With space ranging from 418 - 1,428 sq. ft. across a wide array of studio, 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom floor plans, we're sure to have the perfect place to call
Indulge in the epitome of comfort and style with full-size washers, premium appliances, and spacious closets. Nestled just north of I-80 in Coralville, and only moments away from the vibrant pulse of Iowa River Landing and The Xtreme Arena, our range of 1 to 4 bedroom floor plans eagerly await your arrival! Embrace a healthy lifestyle with 24-hour access to our state-of-the-art fitness center
Live lavishly at the 965 Flats in Coralville, IA. Where upscale design meets copious convenience, that's where you'll find our gorgeous one- and two-bedroom apartments complete with state-of-the-art washers and dryers, stainless steel appliances, and spacious walk-in closets. As an exclusive community perk, you'll also enjoy access to our heated swimming pool, fitness center, and professionally
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