The University of Iowa is the beating heart of Iowa City. Life revolves around the university's educational and career opportunities, and it's the area's largest employer. The institution and its academic hospitals and clinics teach over 32,000 students and employ roughly 34,000 people. The university also draws global attention through its renowned creative writing program, the first of its kind in the nation. The Iowa Writers' Workshop led to the city becoming the world's third UNESCO City of Literature, forming a thriving downtown arts and culture scene. "We are the greatest small city for the arts," says Christopher Hunter, director of marketing at Iowa City Downtown District. "We're always looking for the next, newest, and we're always growing." With a population of over 75,000, the city invites academics, professionals and families to settle near historic districts, entertainment hubs and natural spaces.
The Pentacrest, where the former Capitol building stands, is a major geographical landmark for the city. It orients visitors and locals toward significant destinations, such as the university, the Iowa River and Kinnick Stadium, where the Hawkeyes play.
Downtown Iowa City shares space and amenities with the University of Iowa and its students.
The Old State Capitol Building is a beacon in Downtown Iowa City.
College Hill residents enjoy spending quiet time in their local neighborhood park.
Iowa City is a UNESCO City of Literature and is very proud of it.
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Historic districts hold cultural and architectural significance
Various historic districts are closest to the city center. Some areas, like Goosetown and College Hill, are significant because of their age, while other districts are more known for their unique architecture. In Longfellow, eclectic stone and wood cottages line Muscatine Avenue, marking the legacy of builder Howard Moffitt. "He's like the Frank Llyod Wright of Iowa City," says Pretorius.
Median home prices hover around $307,000, less than the national median of $407,000. Prices increase around downtown and the city's west side, with high-end condos, new construction and custom, multi-acre homes on the market. "The west side is more popular for its close proximity to the hospitals, clinics and the University of Iowa west athletic campus. North is popular for its closer proximity to downtown and outdoor recreation near Coralville Lake and the reservoir," says Adam Pretorius, 25-year local and Realtor at Lepic-Kroeger Realtors. "The east side is for people who want a little bit more room, and the city is trying to promote growth over on the south side." This is where values are lowest, with many ranch-style homes, American Foursquares and bungalows selling below $300,000.
Each home in Longfellow is unique and charming it its own way.
Several historic Moffitt Cottages are scattered throughout Lucas Farms.
Homes north of Benton St overlook the rest of Miller Orchard.
Larger two-story homes can be found scattered throughout Galway Hills.
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Prolific University of Iowa provides the city’s healthcare
The University of Iowa is the state's oldest higher education institution. Its top programs are creative writing and health sciences, with one of the country's leading nursing programs. The university's teaching hospitals and clinics serve hundreds of thousands of people within the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City-Coralville area.
The Iowa City Community School District receives an overall grade of A from Niche, which also ranks it the second-best of 30 Cedar Rapids school districts. Niche rates West Senior High School as the best public high school in Iowa, with an overall score of A. The A-rated Regina Catholic Education Center is the city's best-known private school, and Niche rates it the second-best Catholic high school in Iowa.
The campus of the University of Iowa is just blocks west of College Hill.
Adjacent West High School is rated as one of the top high schools in the state.
The University of Iowa is just a few minutes away from Ty N Cae.
Melrose’s proximity to the University of Iowa Hospital is a major perk for residents.
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Walking the Pedestrian Mall and the city farmers market
Downtown is the city's hub for boutique shops and artisan eateries. Upscale midwestern fare is a specialty of the Webster, featured on the New York Times' 2023 Restaurant List. Opening in February 2025, The Kitty Corner Social Club is already garnering anticipated popularity as the city's first cat lounge. A pedestrian mall near the Pentacrest offers an al fresco shopping and dining experience. While shoppers browse, kids play together at the mall's outdoor playground, where public art and festive lights brighten the atmosphere. The city has many grocery stores, but the Iowa City Farmers Market is the go-to on Saturdays. Open May through October, the open-air market lets artists and farmers sell locally grown produce and handmade goods. As a UNESCO City of Literature, independent bookstores like Prairie Lights Bookstore are popular for their extensive book collections, monthly writers' workshops and literature-oriented events.
Downtown also has several cultural attractions within a few blocks of each other. The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, the Stanley Museum of Art and the historic Englert Theatre are among the most prominent.
Prairie Lights Bookstore is a world-famous bookstore where many famous authors have visited.
The shops and restaurants along the pedestrian mall offer something for everyone.
Located on campus, the Iowa Museum of Natural History is a state-wide attraction.
Downtown Iowa City is close by and features entertainment like the Englert Theater.
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Downtown is the city’s events epicenter
Events are an Iowa City specialty. "We are a designated cultural and entertainment district of the state, and that's close to our hearts," says Hunter. "We were featured in the Wall Street Journal for our Shop Crawl, and our annual downtown block party is one of our biggest events." Over 40,000 attendees enjoy an ever-changing list of activities, from silent disco dancing and semi-professional wrestling to sand volleyball on the street. The city celebrates its UNESCO designation with a One Book, Two Book festival featuring interactive programming for all ages. Events like Taste of Iowa City and Top Chef invite locals to rediscover their city through standout culinary experiences. "The Top Chef event sells out within 10 minutes, and it's on a Monday night, so it's definitely an event for locals to come and try new things," Hunter says.
Expansive trail network and top entertainment venues
Outdoor recreation is a significant part of the city's lifestyle. Johnson County has more than 70 miles of interconnecting trails, most within Iowa City. Tree densities and rolling hills add diversity to the terrain, contradicting associations attached to the Midwest. "It's a big myth of Iowa that we're all flat, which a lot of the Midwest is, but we're not," Pretorius says. "I know we don't have mountains or skiing, but if you're a hiker, a biker or a boater, there's a lot to do." Some trails follow the Iowa River, which passes through the entire city. The river connects to Coralville Lake, offering ample fishing, swimming and motorboating opportunities. Over 50 parks are within city limits. Among the largest is Hickory Hill Park, which offers 185 acres of forested space. City Park is a hub for sports, and Terry Trueblood Recreation Area offers lakefront access and watercraft rentals.
Ty N Cae is adjacent to Kiwanis Park and Willow Creek Park and Trail.
Nearby Terry Trueblood Recreation Area is a popular spot for a walk or bike ride.
Fairmeadows Park is centrally located in Grant Wood and has something for everyone.
The winding trails of Trueblood Recreation Area are always being used by walkers and bikers.
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Iowa City is highly walkable and bikeable
The city prioritizes pedestrian traffic with bike lanes, walking paths and multi-use bridges crossing the Iowa River. The Riverside Drive pedestrian bridge and spiral ramp are currently being reconstructed, impacting certain pedestrian commutes until construction is completed around fall 2025. Fare-free Iowa City Transit buses connect with Johnson County SEATS, the University of Iowa Cambus and Coralville Transit. While ACT Inc., Procter & Gamble Co. and ORAL B Laboratories are headquartered in the city, many other major employers are within 30 miles in Coralville, North Liberty and Cedar Rapids. Commuters can bypass traffic surrounding the university hospital on Highway 6 using Interstate 80 or Highway 218. Both thoroughfares connect to Interstate 380. The city has a municipal airport, but domestic flights go through Eastern Iowa Airport, 23 miles away.
Community policing and climate action
According to the Iowa City Police Department, violent crime rose between 2022 and 2023, but firearms-related violence has decreased 74% in the past four years. The department makes ongoing efforts to suppress violent crime, but there is a preliminary plan to restructure the police when addressing non-violent situations.
According to the National Weather Service, the city experiences moderate weather year-round. River flooding is a concern during heavy rain events, and snowfall is highest between December and February. "We live in the Midwest, so there's definitely snow, but we try to embrace that with warm, cozy activities that get people out of the house," Hunter says. Many initiatives also help manage extreme weather, like grants to aid income-qualified homeowners in better insulating their homes for winter.
On average, homes in Iowa City, IA sell after 64 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Iowa City, IA over the last 12 months is $397,250, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
