$189,600Average Value$143Average Price per Sq Ft22Homes For Sale
Osceola has a relaxed pace with nature, jobs and easy commuting
Osceola is home to about 5,500 residents who enjoy an easygoing pace and abundant outdoor activities in the rolling hills of southwest Iowa. “We have a historic town square and we’re very rural,” says Ashleigh Eckels, director of Osceola Chamber Main Street. “We’re about 45 minutes south of Des Moines, but we have more of a small-town feel.” With proximity to major highways and a strong economy supported by employers like Boyt Harness Company, Iowa Steel and Hormel-owned Osceola Foods — the largest employer in Clarke County — Osceola offers rural charm, job opportunities and convenience close to Interstate 35.
The motto of Osceola is "Proud of our history. Ready for the future."
The town of Osceola is fairly compact and surrounded by rolling hills of farmland.
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Most homes were built throughout the 20th century
Osceola’s housing stock largely consists of homes built throughout the 1900s. Bungalows, Nationals, American Foursquares and Colonial Revivals from the early 20th century pair with midcentury split-levels and ranch-style homes. New builds can be found around the municipal golf course in Country Club Manor and along the manmade Arbor Valley Lake. The median sale price is about $200,000, higher than nearby Creston.
Some homes in Osceola date back to the latte 1800s.
Osceola has some newer homes that offer golf course views and custom layouts.
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Easy access to I-35 and Iowa’s busiest Amtrak station
U.S. routes 69 and 34 intersect in Osceola, and Interstate 35 is on the west side of town. Des Moines and its international airport are roughly 50 miles away, while Omaha is a straight shot west, about 130 miles away. Clarke County Hospital offers medical care in town, and an Amtrak station offers rail service on the California Zephyr line, a lengthy route between Chicago and the Bay Area. “We have the busiest Amtrak station in Iowa,” Eckels says. “The train comes at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and we do have an underpass, so if there’s a train, you can go under the tracks.”
Students can earn college credit at Clarke High School
Iowa has open enrollment, but kids can attend Clarke Community Schools, which serves Osceola and the surrounding rural communities and receives a C rating from Niche. Clarke Elementary School is rated C-minus, as is Clarke Middle School. The middle school shares a building with Clarke High School, rated C. The high school offers concurrent enrollment through Southwestern Community College, which has a branch in town.
Clarke Elementary students are offered many different after-school programs.
Clarke County Schools are home to the Indians and their colors are maroon and white.
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Multiple parks, trails and lakes, plus a casino
With miles of hiking and biking trails winding through town, outdoor enthusiasts have plenty to explore. The city boasts six parks and numerous lakes, including East Lake Park, a 170-acre expanse featuring an 11-acre lake stocked with bluegill, catfish and bass. Clarke County Recreation Complex spans 52 acres and houses the community aquatic center, skate park, soccer fields and ball fields. Golfers can enjoy a round at Osceola Municipal Golf Course, while entertainment seekers can head to Lakeside Hotel and Casino. “We also have a casino, which for our sized town is pretty neat. It draws a lot of traffic, and with that, it pushes more funds back into the community,” Eckels says. For a night out, the Lyric Theater has $5 movie tickets.
Lakeside Casino and Hotel also offers an RV park right on premises.
East Lake County Park is a hub of activity no matter the season.
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Historic town square gets a million-dollar facelift
The city is updating its historic town square with a $1.5 million reconstruction project that includes new streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure improvements. The downtown area is home to local restaurants, businesses and boutiques such as Ivy Rose Boutique, The Grassroots Home and Southern Iowa Saddle Shop. Laid-back dining options include Nana Greer’s Family Table and The Iron Horse, a staple for dinner and drinks. There are also several Latin American eateries, including Playa Margaritas Mexican Restaurant and Cuban Flavor. Revelton Distilling Company creates field-to-flask spirits using corn sourced from Clarke County farms, and it supports sustainability by repurposing the mash by-product as cattle feed. Fareway, Hy-Vee and Walmart have groceries covered.
Downtown Osceola restaurants like Iron Horse serve the town and surrounding countryside.
Locals love the festive decor of Playa Margaritas Mexican Restaurant in Osceola.
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Locals celebrate events downtown
“Our big event is the Fourth of July celebration,” Eckels says. “We’ve been doing it for 100 years. We have carnival rides, live music and a parade.” The annual Wine Walk brings residents downtown for a night of Iowa wines, craft beer and shopping on the square. “We also have the Latino Festival,” Eckels says. “We have a pretty diverse population for a town of our size.”
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Aiyshanti Green
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Osceola, IA sell after 75 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Osceola, IA over the last 12 months is $182,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
339.46 acres, m/l, located on the northwest edge of Osceola, Iowa on the west side of Hwy 152.This strongly sloping farm has an estimated 198.59 FSA/Eff. crop acres with a CSR2 of 41.50.The farm includes a 52' x 72' livestock shed and two concrete silos.This is a great mixed-used property with tillable, pasture, and timber acres. Easy access off I-35 and just a short drive
Discover an exceptional investment opportunity with this 53-acre property in Clarke County. This income-producing land includes 48 acres currently being farmed, offering a reliable source of revenue with $205 per acre in cash rent. Enhance your portfolio with this valuable asset, which boasts a CSR2 rating of 57. Dont miss out on this chancebuy it now!
65.93 acres, m/l, located on the west edge of Osceola, Iowa on the south side of Kansas St. / W. Clay St. This farm has an estimated 46.00 acres that are currently in production with a CSR2 of 54.00. This is prime development land within the city limits of Osceola, Iowa.
At the entrance, a newly constructed 28’x 48’ metal pole building offers a convenient space to store farm equipment, hunting gear, and even a place to establish weekend hunting camp. This soundly constructed building has electric, rural water, and stubbed in plumbing. 73.67 acres are currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program paying $17,531 through three separate contracts. In
Discover an exceptional investment opportunity with this 53-acre property in Clarke County. This income-producing land includes 48 acres currently being farmed, offering a reliable source of revenue with $205 per acre in cash rent. Enhance your portfolio with this valuable asset, which boasts a CSR2 rating of 57. Don’t miss out on this chance—buy it now!
Charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath Cape Cod home with a flexible layout and great flow throughout! The main floor features one bedroom and a full bath, while upstairs offers two additional bedrooms, a 3/4 bath, plus a non-conforming 4th bedroom—perfect for a home office, guest space, or playroom.This move-in ready home has been freshly painted inside and offers numerous updates, including newer
Peace, Privacy & Room to Roam. Welcome to 2840, where 35 m/l acres of natural beauty meet endless potential. This property features three scenic ponds, a charming cabin, and a spacious 2-story home offering 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Enjoy summer days around the inground pool, gather in the large outbuilding for hobbies or storage, and explore the land’s rolling terrain and peaceful views. The
Cozy 2 Bedroom Home on Corner Lot Welcome to this charming 2 bedroom, 1 bath home situated on a nice corner lot just one block from the city park. You’ll love the cozy feel of this home and the spacious yard—perfect for kids, pets, or a garden. Enjoy small-town living with the convenience of easy access to the Interstate for quick commutes. Whether you’re looking for your first home, a downsizing
Welcome to this beautifully designed new construction home nestled in the sought-after Country Club Manor golf course community! This 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom home offers modern elegance with an open-concept layout, perfect for both relaxing and entertaining. Enjoy peaceful views and privacy as this home backs to mature trees and golf course views, providing a serene backdrop right from your
Welcome to this charming home set on nearly an acre, offering plenty of room for outdoor activities, relaxation, and everyday living! This well-kept, split-level home features five bedrooms, two full bathrooms, multiple living spaces, and ample storage throughout. Newer updates include new windows, flooring, doors, trim, roof, and more!Outside, you'll enjoy a spacious deck and concrete patio.
(*Price based on selection and size). Imagine – No maintenance exterior. These newly planned Townhouses are available now. Be one of the first to enjoy these lovely townhouses with pantry, granite countertops, fireplace, 2 car attached garage with mud room. Full basement ready to finish or not. Homeowner Association dues - $140
Welcome to this beautifully designed new construction home nestled in the sought-after Country Club Manor golf course community! This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers modern elegance with an open-concept layout, perfect for both relaxing and entertaining. Enjoy peaceful views and privacy as this home backs to a golf course and pond, providing a serene backdrop right from your backyard. The
When you call Country Club Estates home, youll find yourself surrounded in a beautiful, lush, park-like environment. Our spacious, luxury, one, two, and three bedroom, one and two bath apartment homes include a variety of great amenities. The professional, on-site management staff will assist you in meeting all of your needs. If you would like to learn more about calling Country Club
Kading Properties prides itself on building living communities that bring people home. That means our communities are safe, friendly, well kept, well lit and close to nearby amenities for recreation, shopping and work.So whether you’re looking to upgrade from apartment living, to find a comfortable home for your family, or downsize from a home to less hands-on maintenance, Kading delivers on
Free Application! Free Internet! Security Deposit Flexibility! Make yourself at home in a beautifully designed 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit with top-of-the-line finishes and modern amenities that provide all the conveniences of home.Gustin Flats is located in a quiet setting that provides breathtaking views from your private patio/balcony. Step inside and you'll be greeted by
Charming upstairs apartment available January 1st. Currently renovating bathroom. New flooring throughout the entire apartment. This has a separate bedroom. living room area, and kitchen. Ample storage.
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