$325,079Average Value$199Average Price per Sq Ft13Homes 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Goosetown
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Goosetown Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Goosetown, Iowa City sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Goosetown, Iowa City over the last 12 months is $310,000, up 27% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
The Letovsky-Rohret House, built in 1881, stands as a graceful reflection of Iowa City’s architectural history. Recognized as both an Iowa City Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places, this two-story wood frame home combines elements of the Greek Revival and Italianate styles. Distinctive features include the side-gable roof, boxed cornice, tall windows, and full-width
Charming 3-Bedroom 1-bath gem near downtown, this 2-story residence is ideally located. Whether you're looking for your first home or a cozy place to settle in, 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 spaces on both levels and
ATTENTION INVESTORS - 3 bedroom 1 & 1/4 bath rental property located in the heart of Iowa City. Main level features large Living Area and Family Room as well as a functional kitchen. Laundry room adjacent to kitchen with 1/4 bath. Off the kitchen is a mudroom porch and a screened in porch, all leading to a fenced back yard and 4 off-street parking spots with alley access. Upper floor has 3
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, 2026 Location:On University of Iowa Campus Walk to
Spacious, newly remodeled Studio and 1 Bedroom apartments. Historic vibe, newly remodeled.Terrace Arms apartments are located on historic North Dubuque St. near Iowa City Park and Hancher Auditorium. This unique location has a beautiful view of the Iowa River and surrounding areas. All apartments have been completely remodeled and restored. Apartments have restored oak hardwood floors,
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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.
