$188,034Average Value$144Average Price per Sq Ft12Homes 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?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Osceola, IA sell after 70 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Osceola, IA over the last 12 months is $186,250, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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.
This secluded 60-acre farm offers an excellent combination of CRP income, recreational appeal, and long-term investment potential. The property includes 49.63 acres currently enrolled in the HEL Iowa CRP program with annual payments of $6,948 through 2035. Access is provided through a gated easement off Kendall Street, creating a private setting ideal for hunting and outdoor recreation. The farm
Highly Tillable Smaller Crop Farm with Development Opportunities Laying Along Interstate 35! 30 Acres m/l Total with 26.3 Acres Tillable (24 Acres Currently in Cropland) with Average CSR2 56.8. Located Very Close to Lakeside Hotel Casino Near Osceola, IA! Very Lucrative Income Currently with Many Options for Building Sites or Commercial Opportunities!
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
Very Nice Small Farm with High Quality Soils Located off Highway 69 North of Osceola. 32 Acres m/l Total with 26 Acres Currently in Row Crop Production Averaging 63 CSR2. Nice Building Location Also. Utilities Close By. Very Good Hunting.
This two-bedroom ranch home is the perfect combination of space and simplicity! The open concept living, dining & kitchen when you walk in the front door is the perfect space to relax or entertain. The kitchen has an ample amount of counter and cupboard space and is equipped with all appliances that will stay with the home. 2 bedrooms and a bathroom with a large walk-in shower are on the backside
Affordable opportunity in a great location! This 2-bedroom, 1 bath handyman special is centrally located close to Clarke Community High School and just a few blocks from the Osceola square. Whether you’re looking for an investment property, starter home, or your next renovation project, this property offers plenty of potential at an affordable price. Convenient location with easy access to
Highly Tillable Smaller Crop Farm with Development Opportunities Laying Along Interstate 35! 30 Acres m/l Total with 26.3 Acres Tillable (24 Acres Currently in Cropland) with Average CSR2 56.8. Located Very Close to Lakeside Hotel Casino Near Osceola, IA! Very Lucrative Income Currently with Many Options for Building Sites or Commercial Opportunities!
Build your Dream Home or Investment Property! Very spacious 1/4-acre buildable lot with existing driveway access at front from the street and bordered by a well-maintained gravel alley on the west All utilities and sewer are an easy hook-up. The prior home without a basement was removed years ago so site preparation to get started should have no surprises. Don't miss out - Make this yours today!
Opportunity awaits at 300 N Fillmore! This 3-bedroom home sits on a prominent corner lot and offers over 1,200 square feet of living space, detached garage, and excellent potential for homeowners and investors alike. The property combines small-town charm with convenient access to schools, shopping, and community amenities. Whether you’re searching for your next home, rental property, or
This is the perfect 30 acres ml (per seller) for the hunter, camper or farmet. There are 2 ponds one dredged at 15 foot, a new 32x48 building with 12x10 door and 8x8 door and electric. A second older building has electricity, water and sewer ready to be finished. A grain bin with dryer is perfect to rent to local farmers or use yourself. Outside there are 5 camper hookups with sewer, water and
When you call Country Club Estates home, you'll 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
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
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
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
Property Id: 1401417Welcome home! This charming 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment is located in a prime location, offering comfort, convenience, and modern amenities.Included: Parking SpaceOn-site laundry facilitiesSmall dogs welcome with a pet deposit and additional monthly fee.Lease Details:Available beginning first week of July 2026Rent: $900 per
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