Independence has small-town charm on the banks of the Wapsipinicon
Along the banks of the Wapsipinicon River is Independence, the Buchanan County seat. Century-old homes are down the road from a vibrant downtown with boutiques and eateries, and there are several parks throughout the city. “It’s just your quintessential small-town Iowa, small-town America city,” says city manager Matthew Schmitz. Besides the many locally owned businesses, major employers include Buchanan County Health Center and the school district. “If you don’t want to work at one of the employers here in town, we’re about 30 to 40 minutes from Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids,” Schmitz says. It’s about 35 miles to Cedar Falls , while Cedar Rapids is about a 40-mile drive.
Locals eat, drink and shop at the revitalized downtown district
The Wapsipinicon Mill anchors Independence’s historic downtown district. Over the past few years, business owners and the City of Independence have worked closely together to revitalize the area and restore many of its buildings to their original state. One of the many involved businesses was the Gedney Bakery & Coffeehouse, which opened in 2024 because of a Catalyst Grant. Allerton Brewing Company is another downtown establishment, with over 20 original brews and a deck that overlooks the Wapsipinicon River. On the other side of the river is Arianna’s Kitchen, a diner that serves all-day breakfast. There is a Fareway and Walmart in the city, and the Independence Farmers Market at the Mill sells fresh produce every Saturday morning from May through October.
Independence residences range from century-old homes to new condos
Sidewalks line the residential streets of Independence. Homes dating back to the 19th century are on grassy lots shaded by trees, most of which are half an acre or less. Craftsman houses neighbor bungalows and Victorian-era homes. Mid-20th-century ranch-style and New Traditional houses are common farther from the city center. Depending on size and condition, prices for a single-family home range from $70,000 to $470,000. “It’s a very affordable town to live in, and there’s a lot to offer for what you pay for,” Schmitz says. There are also some condos in the area, which cost $180,000 to $270,000.
Wapsipinicon River and surrounding parks offer outdoor recreation
The Wapsipinicon River offers a variety of recreation, from boating, kayaking and fishing on the water to exploring the Riverwalk Parks along the shore. A trail connects Brimmer Park, Teacher’s Park and Bathing Beach Park, where amenities include playgrounds, pickleball courts and an 18-hole disc golf course. Triangle Park is along Highway 20 and has a stocked pond with the only ADA-accessible fishing dock in Buchanan County. There are five fields at the Baseball/Softball Complex, which hosts Little League and traveling teams. “The hotels that we have in town are consistently booked full during the summer because of the tournaments that are held out there,” Schmitz says. Golfers can play nine holes at the public Three Elms Golf Course.
Fourth of July is the most anticipated day of the year
It comes as little surprise that Celebrate Indee is one of the most popular events of the year. “Obviously, Independence is our name, so the Fourth of July is a major deal here,” Schmitz says. The festivities kick off the evening before, with the annual Indee Beach Wrestling Tournament and a concert. Day-of programming starts with the annual Independence Day Parade, the oldest Fourth of July Parade in Iowa, at over 160 years, and continues with games, live entertainment and a fireworks show over the Wapsipinicon River.
Other events throughout the year include the Buchanan County Fair, which has carnival rides and 4-H shows every July. BrewBQ is an August celebration with over 100 craft beers and slow-cooked barbecue.
Students attend Independence private and public schools
Independence Community School District serves the city. “It’s a great school district that turns out very well-rounded, educated kids,” Schmitz says. Students complete kindergarten through second grade at East Elementary, which earns a B from Niche. West Elementary receives a B-minus and serves third through sixth graders. Seventh through 12th graders attend the B-rated Independence Junior/Senior High School, which offers dual enrollment through Hawkeye Community College, which has a campus in the city. St. John School is a private, Catholic institution with kindergarten through eighth grade.
Improved walkability in an otherwise car-dependent city
While some parts of Independence, like the downtown area and the Liberty Trail, are walkable, residents rely on cars. U.S. Route 20 passes through the city. People fly out of Waterloo Regional Airport, which is about 30 miles away and offers daily flights to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago .
