Estherville is a rural city with plenty of outdoor activities
Estherville is a small Northern Iowa city offering buyers a downtown, plenty of single-family homes and access to multiple outdoor attractions. This rural community of over 5,900 has dozens of farms and agricultural businesses surrounding it. However, there are some manufacturing sites, and the city is within commuting distance to job centers in Spirit Lake. “It’s a beautiful city on the west fork of the Des Moines River,” says Mike Clarken, a Realtor with Clarken Realtors, who has lived in Estherville for around 40 years. “You got a wonderful place to [raise kids] and you’ve got services; the city’s services [include] water, sewer, electric, garbage and everybody is serviced with natural gas in the city of Estherville.”
Estherville is a picture-perfect small city.
Many businesses in Estherville are found along Central Avenue.
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Various housing styles with low HOA presence
Housing styles vary from Victorians and Craftsman’s to bungalows, cottage styles, Cape Cods and split levels. The median housing price is $149,000, lower than the national and state medians. However, prices can range from around $55,000 to $400,000. HOA activity in Estherville is low, Clarken says. Homes closer to downtown are typically on gridded streets with smaller lots and oak trees accenting lawns. Farmsteads and properties with more acres are on the outskirts of the city. Manufactured home communities are also present. Clarken says Estherville has a mix of retirees, families and workers who commute to local job centers.
Foursquare and Colonial style homes give Estherville a classic small town feel.
Estherville housing options include larger contemporary homes with sizable yards.
On some streets in Estherville, each home has a distinctly different architectural style.
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Public school options and community college for local education
Students can attend the Estherville-Lincoln Central Community School District, graded C-plus on Niche. They can start at Demoney Elementary School, rated C, and continue to Estherville-Lincoln Central Middle, which earns a C-minus. The C-rated Estherville-Lincoln Central High offers courses in business and health. Iowa Lakes Community College has a B-minus and has programs in liberal arts and nursing.
Demoney Elementary School provides a dynamic start for young learners in Estherville by offering a supportive and engaging environment for students in grades PK through 4.
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School provides a supportive bridge for students in grades 5 through 8 where academic challenge meets personal growth in a positive environment.
Estherville Lincoln Central High School fosters a strong sense of pride by providing a comprehensive education for almost 400 students in grades nine through twelve.
Estherville residents can further their studies and obtain associate degrees at Iowa Lakes Community College.
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Multiple parks, golf and nature reserves form the bulk of outdoor fun
This community is home to multiple parks, including Thoreson Park, featuring courts, baseball fields and playgrounds. David Spurgin Park has tennis courts and walking trails. Joe Hoye Park has a disc golf course and scenic views of the Des Moines River. The Estherville Golf Course, west of town, is open to the public and has a nine-hole, 2,300-yard course. Fort Defiance State Park offers hiking trails, camping and birding spots. Multiple game reserves and nature areas surround the city. “Fishing, hunting and boating are alive and well in this part of northern Iowa. We have lots of public land that you can hunt on [and] good rivers to fish,” Clarken says. Events and attractions in Spirit Lake and Okoboji are roughly 15 miles west. Annual events include Sweet Corn Days, a multi-day festival with food vendors, a car show and a parade.
The Thoreson Park facilities in Estherville provide quality amenities for residents, where well-maintained grounds and recreational equipment create welcoming outdoor environments.
The Estherville Golf Course is a nine hole course open to any golfer.
David Spurgin Park in Estherville showcase community pride with maintained landscapes, modern amenities, and facilities that support active, healthy lifestyles.
Fort Defiance State Park offers scenic beauty and historical significance in Iowa, where visitors explore natural landscapes and learn about the area's rich cultural heritage.
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Dining and shopping on Central Avenue
Restaurants are concentrated along Central Avenue and include a mix of chain and local spots. Mother Nature’s Restaurant serves sandwiches, burgers and steaks. Woody’s Pizza also offers pasta dishes and sandwiches. Don Jose Mexican Restaurant serves classics from South of the Border. The Little Swan Lake Winery features a tasting room and a bed and breakfast. There are several grocery and big-box stores in the area, including Hy-Vee, Fairway and Bomgaars. Dollar and convenience stores are also present.
Mother Nature's Restaurant in Estherville serves American favorites.
Woody's Pizza has been a beloved part of the Estherville community for many years.
Little Swan Lake Winery is also a bed and breakfast, convenient for Estherville visitors.
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Weather and environmental events in Estherville
Maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency show flooding is possible along the river. Snow, high winds and tornadoes can also occur. A railway line cuts through the city, but Clarken says it only runs to an ethanol plant in Superior.
Local highways provide connections to I-90 and other cities
Estherville does not have any public transit connections and is car-dependent. Highway 4 runs north into Minnesota and connects to Interstate 90, 21 miles away. Highway 9 forms Central Avenue and leads to Spirit Lake. Sioux Falls Regional Airport is 115 miles west, while Minneapolis-St. Paul International is over 180 miles northeast. Avera Holy Family Hospital is on North Eighth Street and offers lab services and nuclear medicine.
Estherville is a car-dependent community.
Avera Holy Family Hospital is conveniently located in Estherville between North 9th and North 8th streets.
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Written By
Tyler Patchen
Photography Contributed By
Chris Norton
Video By
Lucas Dyke
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Charlie Leissler,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Estherville, IA sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Estherville, IA over the last 12 months is $152,500, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome home to this charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath Cape Cod home nestled in a desirable neighborhood on the north side of Estherville! Full of character and warmth, this inviting home offers a comfortable layout with a spacious living area, abundant natural light, and timeless charm throughout. Outside, you'll love the deck and fully fenced backyard—perfect for kids, pets, gardening, or
Dreaming of country living? This is the affordable acreage you've been waiting for! Just shy of 1 acre and ready for YOUR personal touches! Enjoy summer nights in the screened in gazebo or spend time tinkering in the 2-car insulated and heated garage/man cave. New steel roof 2023. Double lot with large garden area on site. Taxes don't get much lower and your PRIVATE well = no water bills!
Opportunity awaits! This 2-bedroom, 1-bath home sits on a 0.24-acre lot with plenty of potential for the right buyer. The property offers a functional layout and a nice-sized yard, making it an excellent option to bring your vision to life.
Extensive array of sizes and pricing available in the elite COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES to make your DREAM HOME a reality. Every UTILITY is run to the lot(s); road, curb, gutter complete; and the city’s NEW tax abatement over 5 years is OUTSTANDING – making building a fantastic & in some cases a BETTER option. This is LOT 2: 70 x 100 x 161.85 x 189.05. Country Club Estates is a short bike ride to Fort
AFFORDABLE north side of the city HOME on LARGE corner lot --- space for “BIG BOSS” garage potential! Two bedrooms with updated main floor full-bathroom. Formal dining, wood floors, replacement windows, and appliances. VALUED and like NEW: furnace, central air, water heater and roof! Basement includes an additional shower. Only a short jump to the river for fishing, park and / or boat ramp.
Extensive array of sizes and pricing available in the elite COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES to make your DREAM HOME a reality. Every UTILITY is run to the lot(s); road, curb, gutter complete; and the city’s NEW tax abatement over 5 years is OUTSTANDING – making building a fantastic & in some cases a BETTER option. This is LOT 13: F: 55.53 X R: 140 X S: 150 X S: 173.4. Country Club Estates is a short bike
Here's your chance to own a highly sought Dave's Brown House Kitchen's Northwoods Addition townhouse unit! These units are hugely popular with the 55+ crowd, but will make a great home for people of all ages. All one level + no stairs + open floor plan = easy living! The spacious kitchen flows seamlessly into the living room, dining room and sun room. You'll love the large primary bedroom suite
Extensive array of sizes and pricing available in the elite COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES to make your DREAM HOME a reality. Every UTILITY is run to the lot(s); road, curb, gutter complete; and the city’s NEW tax abatement over 5 years is OUTSTANDING – making building a fantastic & in some cases a BETTER option. This is LOT 29: F: 95.13 R: 95R S: 174.59 S: 170. Country Club Estates is a short bike ride to
Extensive array of sizes and pricing available in the elite COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES to make your DREAM HOME a reality. Every UTILITY is run to the lot(s); road, curb, gutter complete; and the city’s NEW tax abatement over 5 years is OUTSTANDING – making building a fantastic & in some cases a BETTER option. This is LOT 48: F: 83.35 R: 125 S: 182.7 S: 153.74. Country Club Estates is a short bike ride
Extensive array of sizes and pricing available in the elite COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES to make your DREAM HOME a reality. Every UTILITY is run to the lot(s); road, curb, gutter complete; and the city’s NEW tax abatement over 5 years is OUTSTANDING – making building a fantastic & in some cases a BETTER option. This is LOT 17: F: 96.77 R: 97.73 S: 150.23 S: 150.3. Country Club Estates is a short bike
Updated first floor living in this cute one-bedroom, one-bath rental with EVERYTHING included. Located near restaurants, schools, daycares, dining, recreation and downtown. UTILITIES, lawn / snow, appliances and INTERNET are INCLUDED as part of the rent. YES it has a GARAGE too. PLUS shared laundry for Tenants onsite. IMMEDIATE occupancy available. Rent is $750 per month, with a $750 security
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