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
Zia Sampson
Photography Contributed By
Austin Lewis
Video By
Patrick Johnson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Oelwein, IA sell after 81 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Oelwein, IA over the last 12 months is $132,000, up 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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
This darling 4 bedroom home is just as nice as can be. Totally remodeled in recent years with new drywall, woodwork, windows, furnace, central air, kitchen cabinets, lite fixtures, flooring and more. Situated on double lot with 2 car detached garage, enclosed front porch, deck, firepit, and landscaping. Seller is leaving newer appliances including extra large refrigerator, gas stove, washer,
Welcome to this updated home featuring 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath and half bath in the basement ready to add a shower! Enjoy new flooring, updated lighting, quartz countertops, and convenient main-floor laundry. The finished basement with bar area is perfect for entertaining, while the fully fenced yard offers great outdoor space. Motivated sellers relocating—move right in and make it yours!
Taylor SwaneyCentury 21 Signature Real Estate - Oelwein
THIS IS MOVE IN READY!! Cute 2 Bedroom Home is Freshly Painted, Replacement windows, 1 full bath on main + Large Bsmnt Shower, All Appliances are included (stove, New Refrig., Washer & Dryer). Forced Air Furmace with Central Air, Brand New 2025 Oversized 2 car det gar. (24'x26'), storage shed, partially fenced yard, raised gardens, New concrete driveway and so much more to offer. READY FOR NEW
REDUCED! NEW IMPROVED PRICE! Welcoming reasonable offers! Inviting you to view one of Oelwein's finest homes! Sprawling 4 bedroom, 2.75 baths, fully finished and extremely large walk-out basement with wet bar, oversize 2 stall attached garage, sitting on a half acre corner lot; a couple blocks from the High School, Hospital and Wellness Center. The center of your oasis is right here. This house
Charming three Bedroom home 1.5 bathrooms Fresh new coat of paint on the inside, one car attached garage. Fenced in 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 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom Ranch-style residence has elegance and style, featuring a 2 stall attached garage situated in a terrific location, proximate to Wings Park School, the Aquatic Center and bike trails. The property showcases newer hardwood floors throughout, spacious bedrooms, a wood-burning fireplace, updated bathrooms and the convenience of a half bath and laundry room on the main
Almost an acre in a secluded and quiet northwest neighborhood, this lot is bordered by the Oelwein hard surface trail with mature trees to the back of the property. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of affordable land for a custom build or to bring in a pre-built home.
Erica BushawCentury 21 Signature Real Estate - Oelwein
Opportunity awaits with this 4-bedroom, 1-bath fixer-upper full of potential! Perfect for investors, flippers, or buyers ready to build sweat equity, this home offers a spacious layout and plenty of room to bring your vision to life. Features include generously sized bedrooms, a functional floor plan, and solid bones ready for renovation. The property also offers outdoor space with room for
Another great equity builder - with a little tlc you can make this one your own. 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, single car garage and workshop. Priced to sell. 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!
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
3 Bedroom ApartmentVery spacious apartment located in front of Dollar Fresh on South Frederick Ave - was previously a professional buildingNEW refrigeratorNEW StoveNEW KitchenNEW BathroomUpper level 3 bedroom/1 bath $1000/month $1000 deposit Tenants pay for utilities & trashNo Smoking/No VapingPets considered with pet deposit and
This 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment is on the top floor (3rd) of the apartment complex with a balcony, a spacious walk-in closet in the master bedroom, carpet in bedrooms, luxury vinyl plank floors in the living
$850 per month
3 Bedroom | 2 Bathroom 2nd Floor Unit in Oelwein AVAILABLE SOON!
This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment is on the middle-level of the apartment complex with a balcony, a spacious walk-in closet in the master bedroom, has TONS of room to entertain, $50/month Tenant Utilities Fee (for Water, Trash, Sewage and Gas), lawn care/snow removal included, on-
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