Plentiful parks and community connections in Webster City
Webster City is home to nearly 8,000 residents and serves as the seat of Hamilton County. The town is known for its respected schools, vibrant parks and community events along the Boone River. The city is also home to major employers like Vantec Inc., Van Diest Supply Company and Van Diest Medical Center. “I grew up here in Webster City, went away to college, worked in manufacturing for four years, and my wife and I decided to move back home because we wanted to raise our son in the same city we both grew up in,” says Tyler Abens, resident, broker and owner of Abens Realty. “You get to know a lot of people and know the town very easily.”
The community lost more than 2,000 jobs after Electrolux closed its washing machine and dryer plant in 2011. “Everybody thought Webster City was done for when Electrolux closed,” Abens says. “We thought every other house would be on the market, but that wasn’t the case. A lot of people stayed in Webster City and found other jobs or went back to school. We’re very resilient, and we’re probably better off now than we were when they were here.”
Ample green space, trails and riverside recreation
The Boone River Water Trail has kayaking, canoeing, fishing and wildlife with a canoe launch at Riverside Park. The city features nine parks, two public golf courses, 7 miles of trails and the Fuller Hall Recreation Center, which hosts low-cost programs for kids and adults. “There are biking trails out to Briggs Wood Park, which has a lake where people can fish, and it’s got a beach,” Abens says. “We have a wonderful public library that does all kinds of activities and programs.” The Hamilton County Speedway also draws crowds with stock car races during the fair and every Saturday night in summer. “A lot of people know Webster City for the races and come to town for that,” Abens says.
An in-demand market with diverse housing styles
Homes range from late 1800s Victorians and bungalows to midcentury ranches and new Craftsman-inspired builds in cul-de-sacs. Older neighborhoods feature compact lots, while newer developments offer more spacious plats. The median sale price is about $300,000, well above Fort Dodge’s $120,000. “There’s a high demand for rental properties, especially now with the higher interest rates. Homes that are $200,000 and under have continued to stay strong and busy, while homes that are $250,000 and above have been slower,” Abens says. “People aren’t making that move to the higher-priced homes.”
Locals cheer on the Webster City Lynx
Kids can attend Webster City Community School District, which receives a B-minus rating from Niche. The high school partners with Iowa Central Community College for an intensive dual-credit program, and residents rally together to support the Lynx. “It’s your classic small-town following where everybody goes to the Friday night football game or the big basketball game,” Abens says. “The homecoming game is always big. We do a homecoming parade, and that’s an annual event that’s always a big deal.” Saint Thomas Aquinas School, currently unrated by Niche, offers private Christian education for kids in preschool through sixth grade. There’s also an Iowa Central Community College branch in town.
Market Nights and JunqueFest bring locals downtown
Webster City hosts the Hamilton County Fair, a week-long summer staple with food, live entertainment, 4-H showcases and carnival rides. The chamber of commerce organizes events like Market Nights every Thursday from June through August. “They have live entertainment and food trucks,” Abens says. “It gets people downtown and it’s a good way to see each other.” Another unique offering is the annual JunequeFest on Memorial Day weekend. “There’s a lot of metal artwork, wood furniture and fun, unique things that people have made out of junk and re-tooled or recreated into art or functional pieces,” Abens says.
Shopping and dining in downtown Webster City
Webster City’s walkable downtown is full of life with shops and restaurants like JB’s Antiques and Variety Place, Leon’s Pizza and Lunchbox Market. Casual favorites like Grid Iron Grill and Seneca Street Saloon offer laid-back dining, while Wildcat Distilling serves up farm-fresh whiskey and moonshine. Fareway and Hy-Vee cover grocery needs. The city’s vibrant Hispanic and Latino community is reflected in local gems like Tacqueria La Bomba and Lomitas Mexican Restaurant, along with El Mercadito Tienda Mexicana, which stocks goods from Mexico and Central America.
It's a 30-minute drive to Fort Dodge
U.S. Route 20, a major four-lane highway, provides easy east-west access across Iowa, while Interstate 35 is just 20 miles away. Webster City is about 20 miles from Fort Dodge. Des Moines and its international airport are about 75 miles away. Van Diest Medical Center serves local healthcare needs. An active railroad runs through town and can cause occasional delays.
Flooding is a possibility along the Boone River. Heavy rainfall in June 2025 flooded streets and basements and stranded some cars.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
