New Hampton is a small city with parks, a hospital and major employers
About 3,400 people live in New Hampton, the seat of Chickasaw County. “I was born and raised here and decided I wanted to raise my own family here,” says Megan Baltes, assistant economic development director with the City of New Hampton. “I love the community. It’s tight-knit, you get to know your neighbors and everyone supports each other.” Another reason she says she loves her hometown is the amenities available to residents. There are several public parks and locally owned businesses, and MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center offers healthcare services within the city. The hospital is just one of the major employers in the area, as there are a handful of manufacturers in the city’s industrial parks. Cedar Rapids is about 100 miles away.
Major employers include manufacturers for the auto industry
New Hampton’s major employers are spread across West Industrial Park and Industrial Park South. The former houses companies like Precision of New Hampton, which makes transmission parts and torque converters, and Zip’s AW Direct, one of the leading companies in the towing industry. Industrial Park South already has manufacturers like ATEK Metal Technologies and has space for more companies. “We have a lot of people who travel in for work, and a lot of opportunities for people who are moving to this area,” Baltes says.
Older homes with character make up most of the market
Oak and maple trees dot New Hampton’s grassy lawns. Most properties are on half an acre of land or less. Sidewalks line some streets, and wide driveways lead to detached garages. Many residences date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including National Folk-style homes, Foursquares and Colonial Revivals. “Some of them have a lot of cool character,” Baltes says. There are several mid-20th-century properties, like split-level and ranch-style houses, as well. Depending on size and condition, prices generally range from $80,000 to $340,000.
Local businesses range from Kluster’s Kafe to Mennonite greenhouses
Identified by its giant chicken statue. Kluster’s Kafe is one of New Hampton’s popular dining spots. “It’s a homestyle-cooking cafe that’s packed all the time,” Baltes says. Main Street includes other dining options, like the pizza joint Poor Richard’s Restaurant. Fareway is the main grocery store, though Dollar General has some essentials. Walmart is about 30 miles away. Shoppers can find fresh produce at the New Hampton Farmers Market, open on the fourth Thursday of the month from May through August. Groups visit Chickasaw County to tour the Mennonite greenhouses and stores, including Martin’s Garden Center in New Hampton. “They rent a charter bus and come here by the busload to go to the greenhouses in our area because they have such quality plants that are inexpensive compared to where they come from,” Baltes says.
Mikkleson Park, Garnant Park and Tribe Trail offer recreation
Mikkleson Park is the largest of several parks across New Hampton. Amenities include athletic fields, a disc golf course and a sprawling, wooden playground. It also has a bandshell, which hosts several community events, and a pool and splash pad open during the summer. Locals head to Garnant Park or the nearby Airport Lake to fish, swim and paddleboard. Garnant Park is connected to the Tribe Trail, a 6-mile-long bike trail. “You can get on the trail from one end of town and ride to the other end of town,” Baltes says. Residents can enroll their kids in youth programs, which include soccer camp and flag football. The New Hampton Golf & Country Club has a nine-hole course that is open to the public, although members get discounted tee times.
New Hampton schools are well-rated
Students attend New Hampton Community Schools. New Hampton Elementary receives a B-minus from Niche, while the middle school earns a B-plus. At the B-rated New Hampton High, students enrolled in an agriculture course automatically become members of the school’s Future Farmers of America chapter. Private institutions include St. Joseph Community School, which is unrated by Niche.
Heartland Days is the community’s biggest event
One of the most anticipated events of the year is Heartland Days, held every June at Mikkleson Park. The weekend kicks off with a parade down Main Street before crowds gather at the bandshell to listen to live music. “The park is just bustling that weekend,” Baltes says. There are also craft and food vendors, a car show, games and activities like the Cornhole Tournament. The area celebrates the holidays with the annual Live Windows & Light Parade. Decorated trucks and floats ride down Main Street, and the local businesses have interactive window displays.
New Hampton is a car-dependent area about 40 miles from Waterloo
Most residents drive, but Baltes says some parts of New Hampton are pedestrian-friendly. U.S. Routes 18 and 63 go through the area. The latter leads to Waterloo , about 40 miles away. Waterloo Regional Airport flies into O’Hare International Airport, although Baltes says most people travel about 175 miles to Des Moines International Airport or 160 miles to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. There is an emergency room at MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center.
