$177,621Average Value$109Average Price per Sq Ft26Homes For Sale
Denison's industrial roots and diverse community in Western Iowa
Denison is the seat of Crawford County in western Iowa, and a city of roughly 9,000 residents. Though farmland surrounds it, the town’s main industry is meatpacking. “We have a very diverse community, and we’re more of an industrial plant town, which is where most of our employment is,” says Tracy Brus, a broker associate with Denison Realty, LLC, who grew up in Denison. “It’s really pretty quiet. It’s close to cities like Sioux City, but it’s a pretty small town as far as that goes.” Homebuyers are also drawn here by Denison's strong parks system and annual events.
The city of Denison is one with great history and a promising future.
Smithfield Foods has a meatpacking facility in Denison and is the area's largest employer.
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Early 20th-century homes within town
Most of Denison’s homes sit on the gridded streets in the center of the community, some of which date from the turn of the 20th century. Victorian or Prairie-style homes can sell from $100,000 to $275,000, based on size and condition. Ranch and National-style properties go between $75,000 and $200,000. Subdivisions are located in Denison’s outskirts, often with larger ranch-style, split-level or New Traditional houses that go between $175,000 and $400,000.
Historic homes of various styles, shapes, and colors line the streets of central Denison.
Modern homes can be found on the edges of Denison in small pockets or on acreages.
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Sports facilities and neighborhood parks throughout Denison
The Denison Parks and Recreation Department manages the city’s green spaces and athletic facilities. These include the Northside Recreation Complex, which has baseball, softball and multipurpose sports fields, plus the Denison Aquatic Center, with pools and water slides as well as a putt-putt course. Washington Park and Doty Park each offer playgrounds and basketball courts in town. Just outside the community, Yellow Smoke Park has a 37-acre lake with a sand beach for swimmers and sunbathers, in addition to a 4-mile trail and a campground.
The basketball court of Washington Park provides a central gathering spot for all ages.
Yellow Smoke Park offers a beach, camping, trails, and much more.
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Celebrating an Oscar-winning actress and award-winning barbecue
Oscar-winning actress Donna Reed, most famous for her role in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” was born and raised in Denison, and the Donna Reed Foundation is still headquartered in the community. Each December, the Donna Reed Theater in Uptown puts on a free screening of the classic holiday film, while the museum within the theater is open each Saturday. Denison also puts on the Tri City BBQ Festival every September, with several competition categories including a contest for the best barbecue between the Omaha, Sioux City and Des Moines areas. The contests are sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, which attracts competitors from across the region. “It’s a big deal,” Brus says. “They’ll shut the streets off and have bands and concerts, and they have lots of food trucks.”
The famous actress Donna Reed called Denison home and there is a small museum dedicated to her.
Uptown Denison is literally the center of everything going on in town.
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Shops, bars and restaurants in Uptown
The intersection of Broadway and Main Street is the heart of Uptown Denison, the city’s central business district. Bars like The Old Fashioned and shops like Reynold’s Clothing call the area home. “The stores have little nights like ‘shop and sip’ nights, where they coordinate with each other,” Brus says. Meanwhile, Latin American restaurants have popped up along Main Street, as the majority of the city’s residents are of Latino descent. Denison’s main grocery store, Hy-Vee, is also in Uptown. More restaurants, especially chains, sit along Lincoln Highway, the four-lane highway that runs through the town.
Denison's small shops and businesses love to collaborate for events and sales.
HyVee is conveniently located in Uptown Denison.
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Education through the Denison Community School District
The Denison Community School District serves students in the area. The system receives a B overall grade from Niche for its four schools. Kids may attend either B-minus-graded Denison Elementary or B-graded Broadway Elementary, followed by Denison Middle, graded a B. Denison High receives a B-plus grade. The district partners with Western Iowa Tech Community College, which has a campus in the community, to offer over 40 dual enrollment courses to Denison High students.
Denison Elementary is one of two elementary schools serving younger students.
Denison Community High School serves around 800 students in grades 9-12.
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Directly between Sioux City, Des Moines and Omaha
Denison is the seat of rural Crawford County and the only city in it with more than 1,000 residents. Residents generally drive to get around town, as Denison lacks a public transit option. Iowa Highways 30 and 59 intersect just outside of town and are the main highways through the area. Sioux City and Omaha, Nebraska, are each roughly 75 miles away, and Des Moines is around 115 miles. Eppley Airfield in Omaha offers the closest commercial flights. Crawford County Memorial Hospital sits just off Highway 59 in Denison.
Written By
Brendan Doyle
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Drew Davis
Video By
EB Fox
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On average, homes in Denison, IA sell after 121 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Denison, IA over the last 12 months is $180,000, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
High Point Land Company is proud to present this exceptional 105 acre property located just north of Denison. Currently utilized as improved pasture, this well-maintained farm offers an excellent opportunity for livestock producers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The property features high-quality grasses and mature trees covering the majority of the acreage, providing both productive grazing and
Here is the perfect spot to build your dream home, just a minute from town, on city water, but out of the city limits. The land backs up to a filed, pasture, cattle and horses grazing in a pasture. Go check it out- the view will NEVER get old!!
You'll love this well-maintained ranch home located on a quiet street with a huge, beautifully landscaped yard. This move-in ready home has been thoughtfully updated, featuring a newer kitchen with brand-new stainless-steel appliances, an updated lower level with a spacious family room and rec room, and bathrooms on both levels. The open concept main floor plan offers kitchen with island open to
Check out this cute completely renovated 2 bedroom home. You'll appreciate the brand new furnace, water heater and central air in 2025 as well as all new flooring in every room, and brand new- never been used- kitchen with new appliances that stay and complete new bathroom. New entry doors , storm doors,lighting, fixtures,some windows, Newer roof and gutters. Convenient main floor laundry, and
Beautiful, completely updated 3 bed/1.5 bath home with all new flooring, granite countertops, hot water heater, dishwasher, garbage disposal & paint. The 1/2 bath off of the master bedroom was just added. New, large back yard deck. Furnace & a/c only 2 years old. The kitchen is large enough for a full size dining room table or an island. Enclosed front porch with a porch swing. Detached oversized
LOT 7: This is a single family residential zoned building lot that is 0.78 acres m/L. This is your opportunity to build your dream home in a great location with amazing views on the edge of town! Sitting on the South edge of town, this lot provides you easy access to Highway 59 South as well as Denison and all of its amenities. Take advantage of the tax abatement for new construction homes as
Looking for a spacious well kept home on the outskirts of town with a wooded private backyard? Check out this 5-6 bedroom home, with 2 full baths & a recently remodeled 3/4 bath with custom tile shower and heated tile floor in the basement. Kitchen has been recently updated with cherry wood cabinets, stainless built-in appliances, eat-in kitchen, double sliding doors off the main floor living
This property poses an excellent development opportunity! It is plotted as 8 lots, with water and sewer already stubbed in.The property is zoned R-2, so single family or duplex/condo/ town homes are all possible. This property offers an excellent location right off S. Main between 12 Ave. S and 13th Ave. S. with a bit of a rural feel, while on city water and sewer. Call today to discuss this
Welcome to your dream home!! You are going to love coming home to this beautiful newly constructed, energy efficient quality home. Built with your comfort in mind, you will enjoy the open floor plan, large kitchen with pantry, island, and appliances that are included, open to dining area and living area. The master suite with walk in closet and private bath is spacious and well appointed. Two
Looking for the perfect home with a fenced backyard, a large living room, and plenty of space to store ALL your stuff? This home is calling your name! This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home also offers a nonconforming 4th bedroom in the basement (no egress window). One of the upstairs bedrooms has been converted into a convenient main-floor laundry room, but the laundry can easily be moved back downstairs
Cheaper than rent! Check out this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home featuring an eat-in kitchen, open living room and partially finished basement with egress window. This home is situated on a large level lot with 3 garage stalls, a wood deck, and concrete patio. Seller is offering a $3,000 carpet allowance at closing for the buyer! Call today for a personal tour.
Don't miss out on this great ranch style home! Head into this home and soak in the natural light of the bay window in the living room as well as into the formal dining room with tons of room for entertaining. Make your way into the kitchen with tons of storage space. Head down the hallway and into the 3/4 bathroom and the 2 good size bedrooms. As you head downstairs utilize the main floor
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