$175,204Average Value$123Average Price per Sq Ft25Homes For Sale
Agricultural roots, art and ambition in Jefferson
Jefferson may be a farming town of 4,000, but it’s earning national recognition for its investment in the arts and strong community spirit. “I enjoy the fact that it’s a small town with a nice, relaxed pace of life,” says Matt Wetrich, a resident, city councilor and executive director of Jefferson Matters, the city’s combined Main Street and chamber of commerce organization. “The kids can ride their bikes to dance practice or walk to a friend’s house, and parents are always looking out for each other.” The 14-story Mahanay Bell Tower, visible for miles, anchors downtown and includes an observation deck overlooking rooftop murals, part of the city’s artistic endeavors. Jefferson was named one of three 2025 Great American Main Street Award winners for its public art installations, festivals and facade improvements. “We wanted to be a national model for rural revitalization, and winning that award leans into that,” Wetrich says.
The public artwork and murals in Jefferson can be found all over town.
Historic and colorful buildings line downtown Jefferson and contain thriving businesses.
1/2
Styles from every era at a lower price than Carroll
The local housing market offers a range of options, with a median price around $150,000, which is lower than Carroll’s median of about $200,000. Homes span several eras and styles, from early 20th-century bungalows and American Foursquares to midcentury ranches and newer builds from the 2000s located beyond the historic center. Fixer-uppers can cost $20,000 to $100,000, but most homes fall between $100,000 and $250,000. Post-2000s homes typically sell for $250,000 to $400,000.
Many of Jefferson's homes are shaded by mature trees.
Newer homes in Jefferson often have four bedrooms or more and three-car garages.
1/2
Public art shapes the town square
The Greene County Courthouse and Mahany Bell Tower anchor the town square. “We’ve got four pedestrian alleyways around the square,” Wetrich says. “One is used as an outdoor space for the local sports bar [Doc’s Stadium], and the other three we’ve renovated as public art spaces, taking unused spaces and making them more inviting through art.” Hy-Vee and Fareway have groceries covered, but Wetrich says the city continues to develop its retail and dining scene. “Retail spaces are tough. Everywhere is struggling because so much shopping is online,” he says. “Shoppers and travelers are very experiential consumers nowadays, so doing something versus just shopping is going to be a big thing for communities of our size.” One business doing just that is RVP~1875, a historical custom furniture store and museum where visitors can shop, take a tour, or learn to build their own piece of 19th century furniture. Still, the downtown area has a handful of eateries, including The Centennial, Breadeaux Pizza and Greene Bean Coffee.
Local festivals feature food, music and neighborhood charm
The annual Belltower Festival brings locals and visitors to the town square for food, vendors, activities and a parade. “The entire community gets engaged, and we know that the second weekend in June, there’ll be 8,000 to 10,000 people downtown. The town basically doubles in size,” Wetrich says. Jefferson also has plenty of art-based events like the Art in the Garden Festival and Porch Fest. “Different homes will host a musician for 45 minutes, and you just pop in somebody’s front yard. The musician plays, you move on to the next house, and you end up downtown for the final act,” Wetrich says.
Career prep at Greene County Community School District
Iowa offers open enrollment, but many students attend schools in town at Greene County Community School District, which receives a C-plus rating from Niche. The district has three schools and an enrollment of about 1,200 students. The high school is home to the Greene County Career Academy, which offers seven career concentrations through a partnership with Iowa Central Community College.
Greene County Middle School is located on the south end of Jefferson.
The campus of Greene County High School and Career Academy was built in 2020.
1/2
Parks, trails and Raccoon River access
“There’s a surprising amount of outdoor things to do here compared to what most folks think,” Wetrich says. “There’s a lot of neat and natural areas to explore, whether it’s hiking, biking or bird watching, which is always surprising for folks, and there’s camping and fishing around here as well.” Jefferson has about a dozen city parks, plus two county parks just south of town. “People float and fish on the Racoon River,” Wetrich says. “We also have the Racoon River Valley Trail and we say it starts here but it goes all the way to downtown Des Moines, about 60 miles, and it’s a great day or weekend ride for anyone into biking.” Entertainment seekers can head to Wild Rose Casino and Hotel.
Russell Park sits just south of downtown Jefferson and has something for everyone.
Wild Rose Casino is a regional draw to Jefferson.
1/2
About an hour from Des Moines
Medical care is available in town at Greene County Medical Center. Jefferson is less than 70 miles from Des Moines and its international airport, or just over an hour by car. Omaha, Nebraska, is about 130 miles away, roughly a two-hour drive. An active rail line runs through town, but the Elm Street overpass helps minimize traffic delays.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Dan Mack
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kyle Olson,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Jefferson, IA sell after 72 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Jefferson, IA over the last 12 months is $155,500, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Greene County, Iowa Farmland for Sale! I'm pleased to present 74 acres m/l of prime Greene County, Iowa farmland. Located 5 miles south of Jefferson, Iowa, and just south of the Cooper, Iowa, the farm includes 69.73 FSA NHEL cropland acres. Prominent soil types include highly productive Webster clay loam, Clarion loam, and Canisteo clay loam with an average CSR2 soil rating of 86.8, well above
Greene County, Iowa Farmland for Sale! I'm pleased to present 74 acres m/l of prime Greene County, Iowa farmland. Located 5 miles south of Jefferson, Iowa, and just south of the Cooper, Iowa, the farm includes 69.73 FSA NHEL cropland acres. Prominent soil types include highly productive Webster clay loam, Clarion loam, and Canisteo clay loam with an average CSR2 soil rating of 86.8, well above
Adorable, updated 3 bedroom home in Jefferson. Freshly updated inside and out! New roof, siding, flooring, paint, appliances. Open front porch, Nice sized entry-way with nice open staircase. One larger bedroom on the main floor, 2 upstairs. Large updated bathroom with Laundry hookups.
The Famous Gallup House attributes unique octagon architecture with historic significance. The birthplace of George Gallup and on the National Register of Historic Places, this quintessential 3-bed 4-bath home is a rare find in today’s market. The exterior features 4 symmetrically spaced gable roof dormers, a large wraparound porch with Doric columns and two-story bay windows. Inside you’ll find
Check out this quaint 2 bedrooom, 1 bathroom house perfect for an investor or first- time home buyer. Move-in Ready, and situated on a large lot this house is ready for your finishing touches! Call today for a private tour.
Nestled on nearly 15 acres just off pvmnt, this meticulously landscaped property offers mature trees, a winding stream, & lush gardens. At its heart is a beautifully renovated brick ranch home w/ high-end updates. The main level features 2 welcoming fmly rms, each w/ its own fireplace, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The gourmet eat-in kitchen includes top-tier SS appliances, elegant
Welcome home to this beautifully maintained historic bungalow located on a charming corner lot in the heart of Jefferson. Surrounded by mature trees and just blocks from downtown shopping and dining, this one-level home offers both convenience and character.Step inside to find stunning original woodwork, coffered ceilings, and a formal dining room accented with classic board-and-batten
Excellent Greene County farm priced to sell! Good cropping history, farmed with minimum tillage and corn/soybean rotation. Conservation management practices include terraces and CRP. Drainage ditch was dredged in 2020. New owner(s) may have the option to install a saturated buffer through partnership with the Iowa Soybean Association. Excellent wildlife habitat offers great hunting potential.
Escape to your own private retreat with this exceptional acreage property. Enjoy peaceful, secluded living just 3 miles from Jefferson, conveniently located off State Highway 30. The updated home is set against a picturesque timber backdrop adjoining a 4.5-acre pond (not included), creating a truly serene setting that you will love to enjoy from the brand new 240 s/f four season porch! This
Investors welcome. This 3-bedroom, 1-bath home sits on an oversized lot and features a detached four-car garage. Opportunity to renovate and rent for immediate income or update and resell. Property offers strong potential for investors or buyers looking for a value-add project.
Welcome to this exceptional commercial building with a the most beautifully updated single-family apartment upstairs! This property offers a unique opportunity for both business owners and those seeking a comfortable living space, all under one roof. Situated in the heart of a thriving community, this building enjoys high visibility and accessibility. It's perfect for retail, office space, or a
Beautifully designed ranch home built in 2021 and thoughtfully crafted for modern living. The open concept floor plan features a stylish kitchen with plenty of counter space, breakfast bar, walk-in pantry and includes all appliances. The master suite offers a private retreat, while two additional bedrooms and main floor laundry provide convenience for the whole family. Relax on the private back
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
