Downtown Iowa City is practically bursting with energy—a byproduct of its extensively curated commercial scene and close-knit partnership with the University of Iowa. "Downtown is always growing and ongoing with more and more each year," says Christopher Hunter, director of marketing at Iowa City Downtown District, a nonprofit organization supporting downtown reinvestment efforts and businesses. "Every weekend and every moment, there always seems to be something to do." Residents of the largely commercial neighborhood, just east of the Iowa River, can easily walk to shops, restaurants, parks, playgrounds and special events.
Adjacent to the University of Iowa campus, Downtown Iowa City is an activity hub.
The Old State Capitol Building is a beacon in Downtown Iowa City.
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One of Iowa's cultural and entertainment epicenters
Downtown officially became one of the state's cultural and entertainment districts in 2022, Hunter says. "We have the most cultural and entertainment venues per capita in the state." For example, dining is nearly limitless. Breakfast nooks sit beside bubble tea cafes, upscale steakhouses, hole-in-the-wall bars and live music venues like Gabe's. To the north, Hunter suggests The Webster, which was featured on the New York Times' 2023 Restaurant List. Groceries are available at the Bread Garden Market on South Linn Street and the New Pioneer Food Co-op just east of the neighborhood. And locals can visit the Iowa City Farmers Market every Saturday morning from May to October. The shining stars of Downtown are Old Capitol Town Center and the Pedestrian Mall. People gather at the town center to shop and grab lunch, says Adam Pretorius, area expert and real estate agent with Lepic-Kroeger Realtors. The Pedestrian Mall, which adds an open-air element, is connected to the Iowa City Public Library. Cultural attractions come in all forms. Two of the most notable are The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History and The Stanley Museum of Art. However, even small shops like Prairie Lights Bookstore have a significant presence because Iowa City is a UNESCO City of Literature. FilmScene shows movies at the Pedestrian Mall, the Hotel Chauncey and outdoors at Chauncey Swan Park.
Iowa City is a UNESCO City of Literature and is very proud of it.
Downtown Iowa City is a vibrant and cultural neighborhood that has it all.
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The summer block party that draws thousands
Events take place Downtown throughout the year. Taste of Iowa City, held when college students return in the fall, is a solid introduction to the area's restaurant scene. Shop crawls, sidewalk sales, community happy hours and gallery walks are opportunities for newcomers and natives to learn more about the neighborhood. The capstone event is the free Downtown Summer Block Party, Hunter says. "It is the biggest event in Cedar Rapids-Iowa City-Davenport region. It draws over 40,000 people yearly and has endless activities, from drag shows to silent discos and pro wrestling. Anyone can find something to do there." Another summer staple is Herky on Parade, named after the U of I mascot. "There are about 100 statues of Herky all over Johnson County, with about 20 of them downtown," Hunter says. "All summer, people can go out and find them like a scavenger hunt and take pictures with them."
Downtown and The University of Iowa go hand in hand
The University of Iowa is the state's No. 1 public university. It sits 1-1/2 miles west of downtown, and residents can walk to campus in under 45 minutes using the pedestrian bridges that cross the Iowa River and South Riverside Drive. "The university and the city very actively collaborate," Pretorius says. "Most campuses stay separate, but here it's all intermixed, which makes for unique campus amenities. It's almost like we have a mini Downtown Chicago." Hunter agrees, adding that "downtown is like the living room of the University of Iowa, and the university is one of the biggest supporters of the Downtown District organization." For primary education, Iowa offers open enrollment, although students typically stay within the Iowa City School District. Students following zoning attend Longfellow Elementary School and South East Junior High, both of which have B scores on Niche. South East Junior is the largest junior high school in the district and, according to Niche, the fifth-best public middle school in Johnson County. Niche also gives City High School an A-minus and calls it Iowa's second-best college-prep public high school.
South East Junior High is the largest middle school in Iowa City.
Longfellow Elementary School serves students in grades K-5.
City High School's historical campus sits atop a hill surrounded by neighborhoods.
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Walk, bike or ride all over downtown
Many improvements are in motion to preserve the neighborhood's pedestrian-friendly vibe. Hunter says roads are being redone with new planters, wider sidewalks and updated overhead lighting, which should be completed by fall 2024. The Downtown District is also partnering with the city to pay for a hospitality and cleaning service to maintain the downtown area and improve navigation. Downtown puts pedestrian traffic first with walkable, interconnected streets and ample bike lanes. For those who use public transit, Iowa City Transit buses have been free since August 2023 as part of a two-year pilot program. Also, the university's free CAMBUS serves the whole campus, Pretorius says. "It is open to the public and university people, so you could conceivably live without a car." Regardless, drivers are taken care of, too; the first hour of parking is free on any downtown ramp. Plus, locals are within 2 miles of the Iowa City Municipal Airport.
Downtown Iowa City features many bus stops and routes, all of which are free for all riders.
Downtown Iowa City residents and visitors alike love the colorful artwork all around.
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High-rise condos in commercial district
The neighborhood is evenly split among apartments, condominiums, retail spaces and hotels. Some condos are in converted historic buildings, while others are in contemporary high-rises built within the past 20 years. Many listings include open floor plans, balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and reserved parking. The average home value is about $200,000 more than the rest of Iowa City's Metro Area. Prices typically range between $500,000 to $675,000, although some are closer to the $325,000 to $425,000 range. Units with over 2,000 square feet usually top $1 million.
There are no single-family homes in Downtown Iowa City, so condos occupy buildings of all sizes.
Downtown Iowa City has several condo buildings, including a few high-rise properties.
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A little green between the businesses
The heart of the city may have few green spaces, but recreational hubs are tucked within the corners of the district. Kids can get their wiggles out at Pedestrian Mall's outdoor playground while parents look on from colorful muraled benches. Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center offers amenities like a fitness room, gymnasium and pool. Just east of downtown is College Green Park, a multi-use space with sports courts, play structures and walking paths lined with trees.
The Pedestrian Mall Playground is a great place for kids to burn off some energy downtown.
College Hill residents enjoy spending quiet time in their local neighborhood park.
GreatSchools:
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Located on the 11th floor of The Chauncey, this 2-bedroom plus office corner-unit condo offers refined city living with panoramic views and walkable access to everything that makes downtown Iowa City vibrant. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the open living and dining areas with natural light and connect to two private terraces with views to the north and east. The kitchen includes a generous island
Occupying the entire 13th floor of Plaza Towers, this penthouse sits at the top of the building that defined the modern skyline of Iowa City. Enjoy unparalleled 360-degree views of Iowa City, from the Old Capitol and the heart of downtown to the rolling hills beyond the city’s edge. Accessed by two elevators opening to a private lobby, the two-level residence spans nearly 4,300 finished square
Move-in ready, well-appointed downtown condo with incredible views! This unique, luxury property has been updated with smart home technology, high-end appliances and so much more. The natural light is stunning as you cherish the open concept and floor to ceiling windows of this one bedroom, one bathroom home. Each nook has been carefully crafted to create space for exercise, reading, entertaining
The Nest Iowa City will be a 184-bedroom, 96-unit residential housing community located in the heart of Iowa City, close to the University of Iowa, and situated next to the historic College Block, Crescent Block, and the Dooley Block. The Nest will provide an upscale living experience, 1 to 3 bedroom units, and will truly be the premier living option for UI students and professionals alike.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tim Conroy,
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,830
Median Age
25
Population Density
70 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
1.9%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$20,807
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$39,147
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.7%
College Graduates
56.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
32.8%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
49.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
12°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
30''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
83/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
92/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
57/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
