Oelwein At A Glance

Oelwein is proud of our wide variety of retail businesses, unique shops, restaurants, industries, hospital, airport and other public amenities. We are fortunate to have an excellent school system including the Regional Academy for Math and Science (RAMS) center and a Northeast Iowa Community College satellite center. Many opportunities exist for our residents and visitors, or for someone wanting to locate a business or industry in Oelwein.

Whatever you are looking for, Oelwein has something for you! Enjoy our attractions, food and atmosphere. We hope you experience all that Oelwein has to offer.

Please visit our searchable community directory for more information on our businesses and attractions.

General Info

  • 2005 census: 6,791
  • 2020 population: 5,920
  • Land Area: 9.426 K
  • Latitude: 42.67 North
  • Longitude: 91.91 West

Climate Ranges

  • Average winter temperature: 19.4 °F
  • Average summer temperature:  70.2 °F
  • Average rainfall per year: 33"
  • Average snowfall per year: 35.5"

Government

  • Mayor / Council / City Administrator
  • 6 councilpersons
  • City zoning
  • County zoning
  • Design standards
  • Fire Insurance Class - 6
  • 10 full-time police officers
  • Volunteer firemen
  • Community CEPP Certified

Tax Structure

  • Assessed valuation: $39.13 per $1,000

Housing Costs

  • Average cost of construction for housing: $80/sq. ft.

City Funding Assistance

Incentives to businesses that qualify:

  • Tax Increment Financing (taxes used to improve infrastructure)
  • Urban renewal program, new or remodel, commercial or residential
  • See Financial Incentives

Utility Capacities

  • Water: city well 12" main
  • Elevated storage capacity: 1,000,000 gallon
  • Water plant capacity: 2,700,000 gallon
  • Average daily consumption 800,000 gpd
  • Peak consumption: 1,250,000 gpd
  • Sewer: municipal 8" main
  • Alliant electrical service: 69,000 Volts
  • Alliant natural gas: 10" main
  • Industrial waste pickup & disposal

Transportation

  • 95% of streets paved
  • 7 common carriers serving the area, 1 with local terminal
  • State Highway 3 east and west improved to 2-lane
  • State Highway 150 north and south improved to 2-lane
  • US Highway 20 - 16 miles south on State Highway 150
  • Interstate 380 - 30 miles southwest
  • Waterloo Municipal Airport - 35 miles southwest
    • Runways: 5403, 8400, 6002
  • Oelwein Municipal Airport
    • Runway: 4001
  • Nearest Port - Pattison Brothers (Clayton County), 75 miles northeast

Health Care

BCHC Family Medicine

  • Affiliate of UnityPoint Health
  • 6 primary care physicians
  • 8 specialists
  • Radiology & lab services
  • Walk-ins welcome
  • Accepting new patients

MercyOne

  • Medical: 25 beds
  • Long-term care: 39 beds
  • Emergency room
  • Radiology & lab services
  • Cardiac rehab
  • Outpatient clinic

Convenient Care

  • 10 physicians
  • 2 chiropractors
  • 6 dentists

Performance Rehab

  •  Physical and Occupational Therapy Clinic

Machine Shops

  • 1 tool & die shop
  • 1 electric motor shop

Schools

Amenities

  • 2 museums
  • 10 churches / faiths
  • 100+ motel rooms
  • 350 businesses
  • 7 company-owned national chain retail stores
  • Cable TV
  • Daily newspaper
  • Radio station

Outdoor Recreation

  • Sports complex
  • 1 golf course
  • 1 swimming pool
  • 1 waterslide
  • 10 public parks
  • Lake with public access
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Tennis courts
  • Skateboard park
  • Dog park