Tidy parks, respected schools and job opportunities in Humboldt
The Des Moines River meanders through Humboldt, an agricultural community of about 5,000 people in north central Iowa. The town offers public and private school options, well-maintained parks, and job opportunities at employers like Hog Slat, a swine equipment manufacturer, and Hy-Capacity, which makes agricultural components. But commuters aren’t far from Fort Dodge and Angola, which are about 25 miles away. “I was born and raised here. I liked the small-town feel and I wanted to raise my family here,” says Madelyn Riles, a broker associate with Smith Real Estate with more than 40 years of experience. “The streets are really wide and it’s very clean. There’s a lot of pride of ownership, and the city keeps everything up. When people move into the community, they always talk about how beautiful the parks are.”
Education options include a B-rated district and private school choice
Humboldt Community School District receives a B rating from Niche and serves 1,500 students across two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The district is wrapping up a nearly $11 million facilities project that includes a new athletic center, building additions and renovations. St. Mary Catholic School offers private education for kids in preschool through sixth grade. The school is currently unrated by Niche. “I know their school has greatly increased due to people looking for alternative education,” Riles says. “We’re seeing more demand for private schools.”
Subdivisions with existing homes and new construction
The housing stock mixes established homes and new construction in still-developing subdivisions. Architectural styles range from early 1900s designs like bungalow, American Foursquare and ranch-style homes to New Traditional and Craftsman-inspired builds in newer housing additions. The median sales price is $135,000, but most homes fall between $150,000 and $350,000, depending on size, age and condition. Subdivisions like Eagle Ridge feature homes built in the last 20 years that can exceed $500,000.
Parks, trails and recreation centers offer year-round fun
Humboldt has three trails and about a dozen parks, ranging from the relaxing riverside Bicknell Park to the 9-acre Taft Park. It includes a wooden playground — dubbed Wildcat Wonderland in honor of the Brownstown school mascot — as well as ball diamonds, a skate park and basketball courts. The Des Moines River is popular with paddlers and anglers. Just outside town, Frank A. Gotch State Park and Joe Sheldon County Park offer camping and hiking trails. The Humboldt Family Aquatic Center is a summertime favorite, and the Humboldt Recreation Center has been connecting residents since it opened in 2018.
Quick commutes and pedestrian-friendly trails
Medical care is available in town at Humboldt County Memorial Hospital. Residents can jog and bike around town on the Cottonwood, Three Rivers and Frank Gotch trails. A new pedestrian bridge over the West Fork of the Des Moines River will link the new Eagle Ridge housing development to the Cottonwood Trail, providing an extra option for recreation and transportation. Algona and Fort Dodge are within a 25-mile drive on U.S. Route 169, while Des Moines and Des Moines International Airport are about 120 miles away.
Flooding is rare but still a possibility along the Des Moines River, which flooded in 2024. “There was extensive damage to homes along the river,” Riles says. “What I always say to my customers is this: When your desire is to live on the water, you have to expect some flooding may occur.”
Tacos, taverns and take-home pizzas
Dining options lean casual in Humboldt, ranging from classic American fare at Miller’s Tavern to authentic tacos at El Valle Tienda Y Carniceria. Locals grab groceries at Hy-Vee or Fareway Meat and Grocery, and the Humboldt Farmers Market runs from May through September. Humboldt has struggled with empty storefronts downtown and strived to bring in new businesses and restaurants like 716 Main. “It was an old John Deere building and it’s been restored, so now it’s a cool building and a lot of people eat there,” Riles says. “That place is always busy, and it’s nice because there’s a big room where they can seat a lot of people.” Pasquale’s Pizza fires up fresh pies daily at its 13th Street North restaurant. Diners can bring the flavor home thanks to Pasquale’s line of frozen pizzas, also made in town. Fort Dodge has more retail options.
Local events and churches bring residents together
The Humboldt County Fair attracts thousands of visitors to the community for agricultural displays, carnival rides and food. The Fourth of July is a major holiday with a 5K and 10K race, parade and fireworks over the weekend. Iowa State University and the University of Iowa are fierce football rivals, and residents get together for the Cy-Hawk Rivalry game in downtown Humboldt in September.
Faith is an important part of daily life for many people. There are several churches in town, including Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic and nondenominational churches. “When people are new and ask how to get to know people, I always recommend looking to join a church, especially if they don’t have kids in the school system,” Riles says.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
