Wilton is a tight-knit community close to the Quad Cities
Located on the edge of Iowa’s Quad-Cities area, Wilton is a small city offering a rural lifestyle without sacrificing proximity to big-city amenities. “It is a small, but very active area,” says Molly Smith, a Realtor with First Choice Real Estate who has over a decade of selling experience in the area. “It’s all very community based. It’s not like everyone keeps to themselves; they get together for parades and holidays.” Quiet streets line this Muscatine County community, where neighbors gather for annual events like Founders Day and frequent longstanding downtown businesses.
City parks, fishing and golf offer options for outdoor fun
Wilton’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains four parks across the community. City Park has playgrounds, beach volleyball courts and picnic shelters. West View Park visitors enjoy baseball diamonds, tennis and pickleball courts and a walking trail that circles the green space. The Mississippi River flows through Muscatine, 16 miles south, with several public launches for getting on the water to fish walleye, catfish and sturgeon. “Fishing and hunting are popular here,” Smith says. “Most hunt on private land, and it’s a friend-of-a-friend sort of thing.” Wahkonsa Country Club features a nine-hole public course, and Wilton Public Library offers various programming year-round.
Homes in Wilton sell at a lower price compared Iowa City
The market in Wilton primarily consists of single-family homes. These houses range from late 19th-century bungalows and Victorians to mid-20th-century split-level and ranch styles. Several homes built over the last 25 years are also available closer to the city's outskirts. Wide grid-like streets make up most of the community, with small back alleyways that lead to detached garages. Old-growth trees provide shade for narrow sidewalks running throughout, and surrounding crop fields add to the area's rural feel. The median sales price is $207,000, which falls below Iowa City's figure of $310,000. Similarly, Wilton's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Wilton Jr./Sr. High School students can earn college credits
Children begin their education at Wilton Elementary School, which teaches prekindergarten through sixth grade and gets a B from Niche. Wilton Jr./Sr. High School earns a B-minus and offers a small selection of Concurrent Course Offerings. Enrolled juniors and seniors can earn high school and college credits simultaneously through classes like Advanced Animal Science and Strategies for Academic Success.
Residents dine locally downtown and shop big-box stores in Davenport
A collection of locally owned businesses forms a downtown stretch at the city’s center. Wilton Café is a laid-back diner popular among locals for its homestyle breakfast. Wilton Candy Kitchen has served the community with homemade ice cream and sodas since 1860, making it one of the oldest ice cream shops in the country. Shoppers pick up groceries from Wilton’s Hometown Market and essentials from Dollar General. “Most people are going to the Quad Cities for major shopping,” Smith says. Davenport is a 30-mile trip southeast and offers a selection of big-box stores like Target, T.J. Maxx and more.
Founders Day and other seasonal events foster community spirit
In late August, the community gathers downtown for Founders Day. The weekend-long event includes carnival rides, food vendors and performances from local groups and musicians. Staples of the annual event include a classic car show and grand parade. Wilton Chamber & Development Alliance also hosts bi-annual citywide garage sales and Small Business Saturday following Thanksgiving.
Commuting out of Wilton
Interstate 80 passes 3 miles north, connecting the community to Iowa City, 32 miles west and Cedar Rapids, about 55 miles northwest. The thoroughfare also links residents to Davenport and Moline, the latter of which is home to Quad Cities International Airport. UnityPoint Health—Trinity Muscatine is the nearest hospital, 13 miles south via state Route 38.
Written By
Matthew Simmons
