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.
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On average, homes in Oelwein, IA sell after 78 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Oelwein, IA over the last 12 months is $115,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
BEAUTIFUL / UPDATED RANCH IN A GREAT LOCATION! Amazing 3-bedroom, 2.75-bath ranch situated on a spacious corner lot and conveniently located near the high school, Wellness Center and hospital! Step inside and you'll love the open floor plan and recent updates throughout. The bright, welcoming layout offers plenty of space to gather, entertain and feel right at home. The primary suite features a
Jennifer DrewelowCentury 21 Signature RE - Oelwein
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
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 RE - Oelwein
MOVE-IN READY ACREAGE ON A PAVED ROAD! UNDER CONTRACT WITH A 48 HR CLAUSE!! If you've been searching for a beautifully updated acreage where all the work has already been done for you, this is one you won't want to miss! Situated on 1.32 acres just off a paved road, this gorgeous ranch-style home is truly move-in ready! A new asphalt driveway welcomes you to the property and leads to the
Jennifer DrewelowCentury 21 Signature RE - Oelwein
Impressive 2 bedroom, 1 bath Ranch in a decent location. Clean and move-in ready. Attractive backyard with a cement walkway leading to an oversized 2 stall detached garage/hobby shop along with a 1 stall detached garage. You'll appreciate the extra-wide pavement in front of the house that could retain up to 3 vehicles. Inside boasts cozy living with ample size living room and modernized kitchen.
This cute two bedroom story and a half has seen significant updates, including a metal roof, hot water heater, and furnace & central air. In addition to original hardwood floors on the main level, new flooring was recently installed in the upper level. An oversized two stall garage sits to the back of the property with access off the side street. Take a look today at this home that's priced to
Welcome to your next home! A rare and captivating 2,924-square-foot above-grade home—plus additional basement space—that perfectly blends classic character with modern, expansive living. With 6 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, the options are endless for configuring your perfect home office, gym, or guest suites. The lower level is built for entertaining, featuring a basement complete with a wet bar
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.
Great opportunity to build your dream home on this ready-to-build lot! City water and utilities are already available, with a convenient location near the pool, parks, and school. A perfect spot to create your next home!
Vacant 0.34 acre (15,000 SF) vacant lot in SE Oelwein that is zoned C-2 Commercial. The lot is flat and has been seeded. Rebuilding of a Residential Structure is not allowed by the City of Oelwein. City water and sewer as well as electric and gas are available but would need to be reinstalled as they are currently disconnected.
Move-in ready and in a great location, this 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home has plenty to offer! The home features a functional layout, an attached 2 stall garage, and a covered deck overlooking the fenced-in backyard, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. With comfortable living spaces and a convenient location, this home is ready for its next owner to move right in and make it their own!
11.26-ACRE ACREAGE • PASTURE • TIMBER • HORSE BARN • POOL Welcome to your own private retreat! Beautifully maintained inside and out, this stunning acreage is situated on 11.26 acres featuring a wonderful mix of pasture, timber and scenic trails, all in a gorgeous country setting. A creek runs along the property line, adding to the beauty and peaceful atmosphere—and the property is not located in
Jennifer DrewelowCentury 21 Signature RE - 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
This is a newly renovated 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom house.Move-In Costs: Deposit $875, Rent $875Utilities Included: NoneSection 8: Not ApplicableAverage Utility Bill: $100/monthPets: Dogs allowed on a case by case basis, $50/month. Cats not allowed at this time.Lawn/Snow: Tenant ResponsibilityWasher/Dryer: Hookups in BasementSchools: Oelwein Community
Charming 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom with attached garage at 12 6th Ave NE, Oelwein, IA 50662 Has 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
Newly remodeled 3-bedroom, 1-bath home in Oelwein, IA featuring a large front porch and an upstairs balcony/sunroom. The property includes a single-stall attached garage and a full unfinished basement that offers flexible storage or finishing options. Pets are permitted with an additional application and fee. Situated close to downtown for convenient access to local shops and services.You
Spacious 3-Bedroom Home with 2-Stall Detached Garage This 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 flooring Bright and open living area with natural
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