Home to just over 11,000 residents, Storm Lake is a central Iowa city that combines lakeside living and recreation with a growing diverse community. Private docks and city parks line the city’s namesake lake, offering plenty of lakeside beaches and boating launches. Meanwhile, the city is gaining a reputation for its diversity — the 2020 Census reports almost 15% of the population is Asian and 41% is Hispanic or Latino. New events and annual traditions show how Storm Lake embraces its diversity as it continues to invite people into the community. Off Richland and Flirdt drives in the center of the city, Tyson Foods has a large industrial complex that offers plenty of jobs to Storm Lake’s growing population.
Storm Lake gets its name from a furious storm that blew through when it was first settled.
Storm Lake residents are never far from the expansive water that gives the town its name.
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Lakeside beaches and playgrounds along Storm Lake
Storm Lake itself stretches across 3,000 acres, known for its walleye fishing. Awaysis Park hosts the city’s largest beach, where people can swim in the water or rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboats. A lighthouse looks over the lake, and people can go to the top and watch the sunset. The playground here is modern with all blue equipment and surfacing. People can also swim at the beach at Sunset Park or stroll through the trails.
Lakeside trails can be found along the entire north side of Storm Lake.
Awaysis Park is a Storm Lake favorite, with a beach, playground, and a climbable lighthouse.
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Lakeside custom builds and contemporaries
Storm Lake’s median housing price is about $215,000, which is lower than the national median. Custom builds, and contemporary homes sit along the lake with private docks or just face the water from Lakeshore Drive and Lake Avenue, all offering views of the lake. Around the rest of Storm Lake, people can find bungalows, Nationals and ranch-style homes. From 2023 to 2024, the Storm Lake Police Department reported a 4% decrease in property and violent crimes in the city.
Large custom homes on the south side of Storm Lake push into the million-dollar price range.
Older homes surrounding downtown Storm Lake have their own characters and history.
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Storm Lake's diverse restaurants and convenience stores
Downtown Storm Lake centers around Lake Avenue, offering plenty of local restaurants and convenience stores. The businesses here highlight the area’s diversity, where restaurants serve American, Mexican, Vietnamese and Thai cuisines. Many of the convenience stores are also specialty markets, like May Flower Asian Grocery and Storm Lake African Grocery Store. Milwaukee Avenue runs up the center of Storm Lake, lined with more restaurants and chains, like Hy-Vee Grocery Store and Walmart Supercenter.
The historic buildings of downtown Storm Lake now house small businesses and restaurants.
HyVee is one of several grocery store options for Storm Lake residents.
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Storm Lake's local university ready to expand
Storm Lake Community School District earns a C-minus from Niche and ranks as the 6th most diverse school district in Iowa. Buena Vista University is also here in Storm Lake, serving just under 2,000 students across its 60-acre campus. The institution just received a $2 million donation to move the Lamberti Center for Rural Entrepreneurship from downtown to one of its academic buildings. The center helps students, staff and locals launch their own businesses and hopes that the new space will make resources more accessible and allow them to expand their services.
Storm Lake High School's mascot is the Tornadoes.
Buena Vista University has a gorgeous lakeside campus in Storm Lake.
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Lakeside car shows and 4th of July parades
For Independence Day, Storm Lake residents celebrate with the Star Spangled Spectacular, which includes a race, artist vendors selling goods, fireworks and two parades. One of the parades is called Parade of Nations and invites people to wear cultural dress, highlighting the way the city is embracing its diversity. Every Sunday afternoon in June and July, the Storm Lake Municipal Band performs at the bandshell in Sunset Park. For over 15 years, the Hy-Noon Kiwanis Escape to the Lake Kar Show brings antique cars out to Chautauqua Park.
Driving around Storm Lake and to the nearest big cities
Storm Lake doesn’t have any public transportation, so residents will likely need a car to get around the city. Lake and Milwaukee avenues cut through the city and its amenities, while Lakeshore Drive gives access to the parks along the lake. Storm Lake is in a more rural area and is a bit isolated from the rest of the state. Sioux City is the nearest big city, which is about 69 miles west and does have a regional airport.
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