$204,055Average Value$124Average Price per Sq Ft26Homes For Sale
A community hub in southeast Iowa with rich musical heritage
Music has always played a big role in the city of Oskaloosa. Back when it was one of the biggest coal-mining centers in the state, the earliest settlers started the first community band in 1864. When composer Charles Barnhouse moved to the area in 1891, he took the band to even bigger heights, playing at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri and serving as the official band for the Iowa State Fair for four years.
Today, music continues to influence life in this active community of over 11,000 people. Not only does Charles Barnhouse’s legacy continue to live on in the C.L. Barnhouse music publishing company, but the local band is still performing 160 years later. With low housing costs and plenty of local attractions, including the new $17-million entertainment complex Trio, the city of Oskaloosa earned a B and was rated one of the best places to retire in Iowa on Niche.com. “We’ve got a really nice growing arts scene,” says Ruthi Rogers, Legacy Real Estate Group associate broker. “People will come and put out blankets and lawn chairs on the grass, along the walkways and around the square.”
Oskaloosa maintains a small-town feel in the heart of Southeast Iowa.
The TRIO Entertainment complex in Oskaloosa boasts pickleball and tennis courts, a theater, and more.
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New subdivisions with ranch-style homes
Rated amongst the top 50 most affordable places to live in Iowa by Niche.com, Oskaloosa’s median sale price is $180,000, which is lower than both the state and national median. Ranch-style houses largely dominate the market, although there are also a few traditional-style houses and split-level homes. The area is in the midst of a housing shortage with just a month’s supply at a time, but new subdivisions were added to Marje Court and Fox Run Drive.
Oskaloosa is full of traditional stucco homes and stately American Foursquares.
Ranch-style homes, both midcentury and new developments, can be found throughout Oskaloosa.
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A sweet corn serenade in the City Square
In addition to five public parks and playgrounds, the City Square also has a historic bandstand from 1912 where the municipal band performs over the summer. It’s also a popular destination for annual events such as Art In The Square and the Sweet Corn Serenade, which highlights many corn-on-the-cobb delights. “We host a large Lighted Christmas parade the first weekend of December, and thousands of people from all over the Midwest will bus in to see the parade,” Ruthi says. “It’s really the hub for a lot of activities that the community puts together throughout the season.”
The Oskaloosa Bandstand is one of the city's most iconic landmarks, featuring live music.
Edmundson Park is a popular destination for Oskaloosa's kids and families.
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Historical shopping and dining on Main Street
Downtown Oskaloosa has its own shopping center in the Penn Central Mall, which features 16 different retailers, restaurants and beauty salons. Outside of the mall, Main Street is decorated with several antique stores, including Love Inc. that used to be a Goodwill building, as well as Book Vault, which opened inside a former bank. The historical influence extends to the local dining scene as well, with The American Table and P.O. Box operating out of the city’s former post office. Local dining also includes a variety of family-friendly restaurants, homestyle cafes and breweries, while the closest grocery stores include Walmart, Hy-Vee and Fareway.
Downtown Oskaloosa has recently benefitted from state revitalization projects.
Oskaloosa locals have a modern HyVee Grocery available for their daily grocery needs.
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Musco Lighting the way for local industries
Headquartered in Oskaloosa since 1976, Musco Lighting is the city’s biggest employer with around 700 employees. The Mahaska Health hospital employs around 600 people and provides 24-hour emergency care for the county, and Clow Valve has more than 450 employees who have been manufacturing fire hydrants for over 130 years.
Musco Lighting is the largest employer in Oskaloosa, and the driver of much of its growth.
Clow Valve is one of Oskaloosa's major industrial employers.
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A mix of in-person, virtual and home-schooling options
The Oskaloosa School System offers a virtual academy and a home-schooling program along with its kindergarten-through-12th-grade curriculum. Niche.com rated the district a C-plus. William Penn University is the local college that earned a C on Niche.com, getting its highest marks for its athletics and diversity.
The Oskaloosa High School and Middle School are consolidated into a single sprawling campus.
William Penn University in Oskaloosa draws students form all around Southeast Iowa.
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Oskaloosa rides and 24-hour transits
10-15 Area Transit runs 24/7 public transportation services for Mahaska and surrounding counties, with fares priced between $2-$4. For citywide transport, Oskaloosa Rides is a free bus service that operates three days a week and is wheelchair accessible. The closest airport is an hour away at the Des Moines International Airport.
Weather & Crime
Oskaloosa experiences hot summers and below freezing winters, with average summer high temperatures being 92 degrees and average winter low temperatures being 6 degrees below zero. The area sees an average of about 28 inches of snowfall annually, with public workers anti-icing and snow-plowing the streets. Residents can also sign up for weather emergency alerts on the city’s website. According to FBI data, both the violent and property crime rates are below state and national averages.
Written By
David Dunn
Photography Contributed By
Dylan Stowell
Video By
Jeffrey Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Oskaloosa, IA sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Oskaloosa, IA over the last 12 months is $182,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Presenting two exceptional, recently constructed duplexes situated side by side in a desirable subdivision on the south end of Oskaloosa, IA. This listing includes 8 total bedrooms, 8 total bathrooms, and 8 total garage spaces. Each duplex offers two units comprising 1,368 square feet per side with an open living and dining area, a spacious kitchen featuring a peninsula with seating for four, a
INCREASED NUMBER OF ACRES and NEW PRICE ~ Spacious Luxury Home with an Amazing Sized Morton building on 6.33 gross acres m/l is ready for you! Discover the perfect blend of elegance, space and functionality in this exceptional property just minutes from Oskaloosa, Iowa. Offering approximately 6700+ square feet of living space, this 5+ bedroom, 3+ bathroom Home is designed for comfort and style
Prime Commercial Opportunity on A Ave West, Oskaloosa. Seize the chance to own this expansive 3-acre commercial lot prominently located on a main thoroughfare in Oskaloosa. This property presents an incredible opportunity for developers and investors
This ranch-style residence is located on the outskirts of town and features three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It presents a spacious floor plan that includes a family room on the main floor, which is enhanced by a sliding door that provides access to an outdoor deck. The kitchen is equipped with essential appliances, and laundry facilities are conveniently situated on the main floor. The
Check out this well cared for- Budget friendly- 2 story home! On the main you will find the kitchen, large dining room, half bath and spacious living room. Upstairs are 3 nice bedrooms and a lovely - updated bath with double sinks. The basement could be used for a variety of things, as well as laundry and storage. the fenced in back yard is great for kids or pets and provides privacy. The
Great investment property or move in ready starter home! 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath home with off street driveway and cement pad. Updates by current owner include: New flooring and Drywall throughout, New Bathroom, New HVAC, New Plumbing with pex water lines, New Water Heater, New Window air units, New Fridge, Stove, Washer/Dryer, some New lighting, some New insulation and some New LP Smart siding. Metal
This charming little gem just hit the market and you wont want to miss checking it out! Could just be the perfect place for you to call HOME! Some of the features to note include the beautiful lot, 2 large bedrooms on the main level, all the natural light that floods into every room, the two fireplaces in the living rooms (upstairs and down), tons of built ins, 2 kitchens AND THAT 4 SEASONS
If you're looking for exceptional GARAGE space--- this one's for YOU!! Not one, but two! The first is an oversized 2+ car apprx 24'x28' with room on one side for a motorcycle, snow blower, side by side, golf cart, etc. The second garage is new, measuring apprx 14'x24', with overhead doors on each end for the option to drive through to the alley behind! Also has 10' side walls for potential lift
Open and spacious berm style home on 10.68 acres located on the edge of Oskaloosa city limits. Built in 2002, this home offers just under 2,400 sq ft with 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths. The ranch layout allows for abundant natural light through large north-facing windows. A spacious entry leads into the open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. The primary suite features a walk-in closet and a
Exceptional opportunity awaits at this prime 21.53-acre development parcel, ideally situated for maximum exposure along Highway 163. Just off Exit 57, this property boasts a strategic location at the bustling intersection of Highway 163 and 92, ensuring high visibility and easy access. Zoned GC - General Commercial, this land offers a wide range of potential uses, from retail complexes to office
You say you want to enjoy an acreage on hard surface road, not too far from town? You want a nice, well-built home, out buildings for storage, shop, etc. You want pasture, crop land, timber, maybe a pond?? Wildlife? Well, here it is!! Nearly 36 acres including house, out buildings, pasture, crop ground, timber, and a pond!! Build on it. Rent part of it. Live your dream!!
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