$319,079Average Value$194Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
No ruffled feathers in Goosetown
Goosetown, just north of Downtown Iowa City, has an unusual name with historical origins. "The Czech immigrants who settled the neighborhood in the 1850s often kept geese and chickens in their yards in what, now, we would probably call backyard or small-scale urban farmsteading," says Emily Farber, area expert and Realtor at Lepic-Kroeger Realtors. Although the city still allows it, most modern-day residents don't keep feathered friends around like their predecessors but do take pride in their neighborhood's history and proximity to amenities. The area's tree-lined streets connect directly to various green spaces, the downtown district and The University of Iowa, providing ample opportunities to shop, dine, play and learn.
Goosetown has a long and storied history going back over 150 years.
Goosetown is a bustling residential neighborhood deeply integrated with the University of Iowa.
Residents of Goosetown take pride in their neighborhood.
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Study dates at Tru Coffee
Dining options abound in the community's southwestern corner. Adam Pretorius, a 20-year Iowa City local and real estate agent at Lepic-Kroeger Realtors, recommends Nodo for a bite. This airy, bi-level café, considered an Iowa City staple, serves award-winning sandwiches and salads. A & A Pagliai's Pizza is a family owned eatery that focuses on old-school pizzas that can be enjoyed in-house or bulk ordered for a party. Tru Coffee's trendy, plant-filled ambiance draws university students and young professionals looking for a place to study and snack, while Bluebird Diner is the neighborhood's Sunday morning greasy spoon. To the north of the neighborhood is a Hy-Vee grocery store. Goosetown is within 1 mile of downtown, putting retail stores and popular sights within reach. Residents can spend the afternoon shopping at Pedestrian Mall or the Iowa City Farmers Market. The Old Capitol Museum, the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History and the Stanley Museum of Art are also a few blocks west.
Kindred Coffee in Goosetown is almost always full and lively.
Downtown's City Plaza is just a few quick blocks from Goosetown, with all its shopping options.
There's something for everyone in the City Plaza, just minutes from Goosetown.
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Student housing and gothic replicas
The University of Iowa's eastern campus borders Goosetown, so residence halls, Greek Life housing and affiliated houses of worship line the neighborhood's western side before giving way to older small-to-medium-sized homes. "Goosetown is a niche neighborhood within the historic north," Pretorius says. "It has a bunch of cute bungalows and Craftsman homes from the early 1900s with a couple of Gothic Revivals mixed in. There's even one home with a widow's walk, which really serves no purpose in the middle of Iowa since there's no ocean nearby, but it was just built to replicate the style." Inside the neighborhood is also the home of Kurt Vonnegut, famed author of Slaughterhouse-Five. Prices for non-famous homes typically range between $275,000 and $375,000, although houses over 2,500 square feet can sell for as much as $475,000. Street signs topped with metal goose placards help to define Goosetown's boundaries and bring smiles to visitors' faces. Residents rely on short driveways and alleyways for parking, but on-street parking is also common.
Parts of Goosetown feature the impressive architecture of U of I's Greek neighborhood.
Rows of ornate craftsman homes give Goosetown a unique atmosphere.
Craftsman homes with ornate styling are common in Goosetown.
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Sitting pretty beside U of I’s east campus
Goosetown is a popular choice for the staff, faculty and students of the University of Iowa, which earns an A Niche score. The main campus is 1 mile west, and residents can reach it via the Iowa Memorial Union Pedestrian Bridge. Children are zoned for the Iowa City School District, although the state offers open enrollment. Students following zoning attend Mann Elementary School, a historic school that earns a B score on Niche. South East Junior High also earns a B and offers a career pathways program in partnership with Kirkwood Community College and Iowa City-Cedar Rapids (ICR) to prepare students for higher education or vocational training. According to Niche, City High School, which has an A-minus rating, is Iowa's second-best college prep public high school.
Mann Elementary serves Goosetown students in grades K-5.
South East Junior High near Goosetown is the largest middle school in Iowa City.
Goosetown students complete their primary educations at City High School.
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Green spaces and local haunts
The neighborhood has plenty of recreational spaces. Happy Hollow Park offers a well-rounded experience, with a shaded playground, sports courts and fields, a picnic pavilion and a sledding hill in the winter. Reno Street Neighborhood Park and North Market Park have similar amenities. Farber shares that Goosetown also borders the western reaches of Hickory Hill Park, "a 185-acre park that encompasses woodlands and prairie with hiking trails for outdoor exploration within the city limits." Diverse flora and fauna are on the park's trails, which are well-maintained but occasionally difficult to traverse during rainy and snowy weather. Oakland Cemetery also has a significant presence beside the neighborhood because it is home to the infamous Black Angel. The charcoal-toned sculpture goes down in Iowa City's history as the subject of many myths and superstitions.
Goosetown residents enjoy a weekend game of basketball at Happy Hollow Park.
Goosetown is packed with interesting historical sights, like Iowa City's famous Black Angel.
Goosetown residents can get a bit closer to nature at nearby City Park.
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Walking right into downtown
Getting around Goosetown is as easy as a bird flapping its wings. The area's streets are pedestrian-friendly and bikeable, and Farber adds that "most people consider Goosetown an easy walking or biking distance from the heart of Iowa City." Iowa City Transit bus stops are throughout the neighborhood and fare-free. Various service providers, like the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center and the Iowa City Police Department, are inside the neighborhood or within 1/2 a mile. The Iowa City Municipal Airport is under 3 miles south.
Goosetown is filled with larger homes amidst dense, mature trees.
There's something for everyone in the City Plaza, just minutes from Goosetown.
The free Cambus bus system connects Goosetown to the rest of Iowa City.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tim Conroy,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Happy Hollow Park
City Park
Transit
Airport
The Eastern Iowa
35 min drive
Bus
Governor St & Davenport St
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North Dodge St & Brown St
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Governor St & North Dodge St
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900 North Dodge St
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North Dodge St & Market St
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Dubuque St & Park Rd
Bus
Dubuque St & Fairchild St
Goosetown Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Goosetown, Iowa City sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Goosetown, Iowa City over the last 12 months is $268,500.
Charming 3-Bedroom gem near downtown, 1-bath, 2-story residence ideally located. Whether you're looking for your first home, a cozy place to settle in, or a smart investment opportunity, this property checks all the boxes. Step inside to find stylish and durable LVP flooring throughout, offering a modern touch with easy maintenance. The home features a functional layout with comfortable living
DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN FOUR SQUARE, RENOVATED WITH UNMATCHED PERFECTION. Located in the heart of Iowa City’s coveted Brown Street Historic District, this iconic 1900's five-bedroom, 6000 sf home showcases artisan details with a symmetrical facade, classic front porch, original wood moldings, and pristine hardwood floors.Elevated above street level with expansive frontage and surrounded by lush
Lynn WeinsteinBLANK AND MCCUNE, THE REAL ESTATE COMPANY, LLC
Well located rental unit on Rochester Ave. Rents for $1400 but increases to $1475 for the 25-26 rental term. Must provide tenants with 24 hour notice to show.
902 North Dodge Street Iowa City – Updated 1 or 2 Bedroom Apartments Walk Downtown Iowa City On U of I Campus!Call Us Now or Email Us Now to Schedule A Private Showing Today! Sorry No Pets! No Smoking!2 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom OR Limited 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Apartments At This Location! Move In: August 1 2025 Location:On University of Iowa Campus Walk to
Flexible Lease Terms - Month-to-Month or Custom. 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment just blocks from campus and across from Mercy Hospital - This is one of the best values in Iowa City. 2 bedroom, 1 bath. Refrigerator, stove/oven, garbage disposal, central heat, wall A/C, dishwasher. 3 blocks from Bluebird Cafe and John's Grocery. $500 Deposit. These apartments are close to campus and include one
909 North Governor Street Iowa City IA – 3 or 4 Bedroom 1.5 Bathroom House For Rent! On U of I Campus!Call Us Now or Email Us Now To Schedule A Private Showing! Sorry No Pets! No Smoking!Spacious 3 or 4 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathroom House For Rent! Short Walk, Bike or Bus Ridge to Downtown Iowa City & U of I Campus! Updated Kitchen! FREE Off Street Parking! Washer & Dryer In House!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tim Conroy,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,863
Median Age
28
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$50,188
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$69,634
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.4%
College Graduates
72.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
35.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.4%
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®
76/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
65/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
45/ 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.
