Oelwein is a family-friendly city about 35 miles from Cedar Falls
Nearly 6,000 people live in the small city of Oelwein. “We are a friendly community,” says Deb Howard, executive director of the Oelwein Chamber & Area Development. “I know everybody says that, but we take care of our people and like to offer amenities and events so that they feel like they live in a place that is quality living for their children and themselves.” Locals spend their time at one of the many parks in the city and look forward to the annual holiday celebrations. Many businesses are locally owned, and most big-box stores are in Cedar Falls, about 35 miles away.
Visitors are greeted by welcoming displays throughout the city.
Oelwein’s cityscape features a blend of homes and green spaces.
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Local eateries include Leo’s Italian Restaurant and Hacienda Del Rio
There is a mix of chains and locally owned eateries. One of the most visited family businesses is Leo’s Italian Restaurant downtown, which has been passed down for three generations. “It’s been a staple in our community, and people come from miles away to eat at Leo’s,” Howard says. It’s attached to Leo’s Generations Lounge, a full-service bar that often has live music. “Hacienda Del Rio is fabulous for Mexican,” says Mayor Brett DeVore. PJ’s Bar & Grill serves pub food inside Viper Lanes, the city’s bowling alley. Grocery options include Fareway and Dollar Fresh Market. Locals can find fresh produce, jams and baked goods at the Oelwein Farmers Market every Friday morning and Wednesday evening from May to mid-October at Depot Park. Walmart is 17 miles away.
Leo’s Generations Lounge offers live music and a welcoming atmosphere.
Fareway in Oelwein is a great place to stock up on everyday essentials.
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Homes from the early 1900s include Tudor Revivals and Foursquares
Towering oak trees shade the grassy lawns of Oelwein. Sidewalks line many of the wide residential streets, with ample room for street parking. Most properties also have detached garages. “We have a pretty good mix of homes from the early 1900s,” DeVore says. These include bungalows, Tudor Revivals and American Foursquares. Midcentury ranch-style houses are also common. Depending on size and condition, prices generally range from $40,000 to $290,000. Investment properties have sold for as little as $10,000.
American Foursquare homes in Oelwein reflect early 1900s craftsmanship.
Ranch-style homes in Oelwein provide single-level living and large yards.
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Oelwein park amenities include a lake, playgrounds and athletic fields
At 69 acres, City Park is the largest of several parks in Oelwein. Most of this space is taken up by Lake Oelwein, which allows kayaking, fishing, boating and paddleboarding. Other amenities include a dog park, playground and the Saur-King Jet Plaza, which is dedicated to two World War II Air Force veterans. Most of the city’s athletic fields are at Wings Park. “That’s where all the Little League teams play,” Howard says. It is next to the Oelwein Family Aquatic Center, an outdoor pool with lap swim, a water play structure and a diving board. The city’s library is about half a mile away and has programs like the kid-friendly Pages & Play Club and a book club that changes its themes every month. Hickory Grove is a public nine-hole course in the southern part of Oelwein.
City Park in Oelwein features Lake Oelwein for fishing and boating.
Welcome signs greet visitors to Oelwein’s City Park.
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Oelwein schools partner with Northeast Iowa Community College
Students may attend Oelwein Community Schools. Wings Park Elementary School receives a C from Niche, while Oelwein Middle School has a C-minus. Oelwein High School earns a C-plus and offers concurrent enrollment through Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC). NICC’s Oelwein Center also has the High School Equivalency Diploma and professional development courses.
Residents take great pride in Oelwein High School's football program.
Oelwein’s downtown features locally owned shops and eateries.
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Olde Tyme Christmas is the most anticipated annual event
The largest annual celebration is Oelwein Olde Tyme Christmas. “That event draws anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 people, depending on the weather,” Howard says. The festivities include fireworks, cookie decorating and visiting Santa. Residents look forward to the crowning of the Grinch, a donation-based competition that raises funds for the Community Kitchen Cupboard, and the night ends with the lighted parade. Other events include the Party in the Park summer series at Depot Park, which has live music and door prizes on the second Thursday of the month from June to September, and the Friday Night Downtown Park’n. This vintage car show is on the third Friday of the month during the summer.
Expanding pedestrian paths connect Oelwein parks
The city is pedestrian-friendly, with a walking and bike trail connecting Red Gate Park to Levin Park and one from Wings Park Elementary to Platts Park. “They are working on expanding to connect the trails around the city,” Howard says. Residents also rely on cars to get around, with U.S. Route 150 and U.S. Route 3 going through Oelwein. MercyOne Oelwein Medical Center is in the area. People fly out of Waterloo Regional Airport, which is about 35 miles away and offers daily flights to O’Hare International Airport. DeVore says that many people will travel the 65 miles to Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids because it has more nonstop destinations than Waterloo.
According to First Street, Oelwein has a major risk from flooding because of the impacts to roads, hospitals and other community infrastructure.
Written By
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Video By
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On average, homes in Oelwein, IA sell after 75 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Oelwein, IA over the last 12 months is $135,000, up 22% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this hard to find beautifully maintained 55+ senior condominium nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in Oelwein. Plenty of room in this condo to spread out with 1,340 square ft of living space on the main and 1,196 square ft lower level. Main level has a beautiful eat in kitchen with a decent sized dinning room and spacious living room. Large master bedroom, with large walk-in shower and
Welcome home to this charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath home nestled in a peaceful, quiet small town. Featuring a spacious kitchen perfect for family meals, a cozy living area, with 1 bedroom on main floor and 2 upstairs, this home offers comfort and character, Enjoy the convenience of an attached over size one-stall garage plus a carport for extra parking or storage. Idea for first-time buyer or anyone
Spacious Updated Home on a Corner Lot! This inviting home offers the perfect blend of space and modern updates, situated on a desirable corner lot with a 4-stall (partially heated) garage. The main level features three comfortable bedrooms, a full bathroom, and the convenience of main floor laundry. You’ll love the updated kitchen that flows seamlessly into the open-concept living and dining
Jennifer DrewelowCentury 21 Signature Real Estate - Oelwein
New Improved Price! This beautifully maintained 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath Stahl ranch house features a 1 stall attached garage, in a great location, near the high school, wellness center and hospital. The interior boasts crown molding with beautiful hardwood floors throughout. Dining and living room has a nice open concept combination. Enjoy the spacious kitchen with plenty of cabinets. All appliances
2 bedroom, 1 3/4 bath fixer upper - priced to sell! Selling AS IS. Low taxes. Square footages approximate. Call your favorite local agent for your personal showing today!
The Perfect Place to Build Starts Here! Dreaming of building your forever home? This beautiful 6.77-acre corner building site offers plenty of space to create the home and lifestyle you've always wanted. Located just inside the city limits with paved road access, you'll enjoy the convenience of town while still having room to spread out. Bring your plans and imagine the possibilities! Contact me
Jennifer DrewelowCentury 21 Signature Real Estate - Oelwein
3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath, 1 stall garage. Great starter home or investment property. Selling AS IS. Square footages approximate. Call your favorite local agent for your personal showing today.
Beautiful setting, encompassed with nature and beauty sits a 3.13 Acre Lot ready for your new dream home to be built. Located within city limits on the NE side of Oelwein. Say yes, to this address!
This property presents an exceptional opportunity to build your dream home, situated in a serene and desirable neighborhood on a half acre lot m/l. The expansive open space, complemented by timber/woods at the rear, ensures privacy and an abundance of wildlife, while the conveniently paved frontage road provides easy access.
Charming three Bedroom home 1.5 bathrooms Fresh new coat of paint on the inside, one car attached garage. Good sized back yard. On the roof there are Solar Panels. The half bathroom is in one of the bedrooms. Livingroom is a good size Basement has been all cleaned out, Newer HVAC in the basement as well as the air conditioner. This home is being sold "AS IS" there will be no repairs. Great for a
This beautiful Ranch house on 5.25 acre property is located in a quiet and private oasis with wildlife galore and amazing sunsets. (The house, garage and shed are exempt from the flood zone. (The timber falls within a 100 yr. flood) For those seeking seclusion and tranquility, 405 Mulford Dr. Oelwein, IA offers the ideal blend of town comforts and acreage. The property features a deep front deck
Welcome to this beautiful Colonial and stylish Split Foyer home. Perfect for a growing family with walking distance to the hospital, wellness center, high school, trials and parks located in a superb location and neighborhood. Spacious layout, abundant natural lightening and lots of storage throughout. Terrific features include 4 good sized bedrooms and2.5 bathrooms. The main living room is a
Welcome home to this charming, move-in ready property offering comfort, space, and a fantastic location! Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an attached 2-stall garage, and a finished basement with a bar area, this home has room for everyone. The lower level also includes a non-conforming bedroom and walk-out access to a workshop under the deck, perfect for hobbies, projects, or extra storage.
Taylor SwaneyCentury 21 Signature Real Estate - Oelwein
Welcome to Oelwein, Iowa!The Meadows Apartments are located in a quaint town of Northeast Iowa loaded with charm and character. Enjoy small town living with all conveniences, an easy commute to Waterloo. The Meadows apartment complex boasts spacious units, each with a balcony or patio, up-to-date finishes, laundry facilities in building, garage parking, and open landscaped
Well-kept home located in a quiet Oelwein neighborhood. This property offers comfortable living with an inviting layout, bright natural light, and modern updates throughout.The home features a spacious living room, an eat-in kitchen with plenty of cabinet space, and two comfortable bedrooms. Enjoy the convenience of laundry hookups and a clean, updated bathroom. Outside, you’ll find a nice yard
Charming 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom with attached garage at 12 6th Ave NE, Oelwein, IA 50662Has washer and dryer in unit.Large back yard and side yard.No central cooling but does have air conditioning unit in home.Has a cool built in chalk board too!We provide Fridge and Stove!The house is expected to be ready for showings next month. We are currently accepting requests
Spacious and well-maintained home located in a convenient Oelwein neighborhood! This charming property offers plenty of living space, beautiful natural light, and features that make it a great place to call home.Home Features:Spacious bedrooms with ample closet spaceLarge kitchen with plenty of cabinet and counter spaceWasher and dryer includedRefrigerator and stove
Spacious 3-Bedroom Home with 2-Stall Detached GarageThis cozy and well-kept two-story home is full of character and ready for you to move in! Featuring a spacious front porch, classic architecture, and a fenced front yard perfect for gardening or relaxing outdoors.Interior Highlights:Fresh, clean space with modern laminate flooringBright and open living area with
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