Eagle Grove blends agriculture, family life and access to jobs
Eagle Grove, a town of about 3,500, offers a laid-back atmosphere rooted in agriculture. “Ag is everything, whether it’s hog and chicken facilities or our grain elevators. There are plenty of job opportunities, all denominations of churches and a nice school system,” says Deb Vance, a Realtor and managing broker with Ryerson Auction and Realty who has nearly 30 years of experience. “I grew up in Eagle Grove and, like most kids, you run off, go to college and say you’re never coming back to rural Iowa. But lo and behold, nine years later, I came back.” In 2025, the community received a $1.75 million grant to revitalize the northeast portion of town. The plan calls for infrastructure upgrades, housing rehabilitation, and a pathway to connect Fish Pond Park and Greenwood Park. In addition to its thriving agricultural industry, Eagle Grove also offers homes at a lower price than nearby communities like Clarion and Humboldt.
Competitively priced 20th century homes
Residential development started in the early 1900s and was largely finished by the 1960s. Buyers can find bungalows, American Foursquares, Nationals and Folk-style homes from the early 1900s alongside midcentury ranch-style abodes. Fixer-uppers and smaller homes can cost between $50,000 and $150,000, but most homes sell for $150,000 to $300,000, depending on size, age and condition. The median home sale price is low for the region. “Housing is affordable for this area, so compared to Humboldt or Clarion, we’re a little less expensive,” Vance says. “Before COVID, I would’ve told you it would take a couple of months or a year to sell your house, but not anymore. We probably are a little short on housing now. We don’t have a lot of available.”
Students can earn college credit through Iowa Central programs
Eagle Grove Community School District, which serves the area and the surrounding rural communities, receives a C rating from Niche. Students at Eagle Grove High School can earn college credit through the Iowa Central Community College North Central Career Academy in town. Students commit to one of four career pathways — health sciences, education, manufacturing technology or liberal arts — and attend classes at the career center five days a week for the entire school year.
Six parks, a new aquatic center and Boone River access
The Three Rivers Trail has 33 miles of hiking, Eagle Grove Golf Course is open to the public, and there's fishing, kayaking and canoeing on the Boone River. Folks can launch onto the river near the golf course or from Troy Park, a small roadside stop a few miles outside of town along Highway 17. Greenwood Park, the most popular of the town’s six recreational areas, spans 30 acres and features a new aquatic center, a skate park and baseball diamonds. Hewetts Park is another favorite for picnics, play dates and pick-up basketball games. A new rec center is projected to open in 2025.
From mead to Mexican, Eagle Grove’s menu is multicultural
There are casual dining options in town, like Family Table, which serves American diner fare and prime rib specials. Rails Bar and Grill offers pizza, cold beer and live music. Local honey in a variety of flavors and house-made honey wine are on the menu at Blossom St. Honey and Meadery. “There isn’t a whole lot of shopping, per se,” Vance says. “We have Bomgaars, which has everything you could need for farming and agriculture. We have a grocery store in town, Fareway, which has wonderful prices. But then again, you can get your upscale cheeses and wines 30 minutes away in Fort Dodge, where they’ve got a Walmart and Hy-Vee.” About a quarter of residents are Hispanic or Latino, and several restaurants and stores serve the community, including El Valle La Tienda Mexicana, La Bonita Bar and Grill, and El Nuevo Jalapeno, a bar and dance club.
Daily train traffic runs through Eagle Grove’s town center
Several active railroad lines run through town, including a major crossing on Iowa Avenue near Gold-Eagle Cooperative and Ag Processing Inc., or AGP. “The trains can cause a little bit of a delay, but it’s pretty much the same time every day,” Vance says. Fort Dodge and Webster City are about 20 miles away, while Des Moines and Des Moines International Airport are roughly 100 miles away. The closest hospital is Van Diest Medical Center in Webster City.
Several churches are in town, including Eagle Grove United Methodist Church, Samuel Lutheran Church and Grace Evangelical Free Church. Some houses of worship offer services in Spanish, including Grace EV Free Church and Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal M.I. Cristo Salva.
Main Street hosts holiday parades, BBQ contests and more
There’s an event for almost every season in Eagle Grove. “Any type of holiday, there’s something downtown on Main Street,” Vance says, including Easter egg hunts, trick-or-treating and a lighted Christmas parade. Teams compete for bragging rights at the Meat in the Street BBQ competition and fall vendor show in October. Eagle Grove Summerfest is an annual 21-and-over event with live music, food trucks and a beer garden. The Wright County Fair brings thousands to town every July.
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Written By
Leslie Klosterman
