Winnebago & Worth Counties: Where hometown values support today’s opportunities
Our region offers businesses access to the Twin Cities and Des Moines using I-35. We border Minnesota and offer access to major metropolitan areas like the Twin Cities and Des Moines, but at a much lower cost.
From housing to commercial properties and labor cost - things are more affordable here. This makes our region highly attractive for growing companies, young families and retirees.
Winnebago & Worth Counties: Businesses Thrive Here
We have affordable and available commercial sites, along with the financial and tax incentives that make it financially attractive to operate a business here. Winnebago is just one example of companies who are growing in our region.
Winnebago & Worth Counties: Families Thrive Here
Our 14 communities offer a lot of opportunities to live the good life. From world class entertainment and Diamond Jo Casino to farm-to-table restaurants and breweries, outdoor concerts, river sports, hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting - Winnebago and Worth Counties offer year round fun for people of all ages.
We also have excellent schools, scholarships for every graduate, and an average housing cost of just $101,650. This is truly an incredible place to live!
Explore our Communities
Visit our individual community pages to learn more about our 14 communities and then come visit us. We would be happy to provide you with more information and to connect you with local realtors who can help you to explore.
Locations
Buffalo Center
On August 23, 1897, Buffalo Center became the first school west of the Mississippi River to be consolidated, and it is believed to be the second one in the nation. Today, Buffalo Center is a thriving town of about 1000 people. There is a large new community center, a museum, several new businesses and a growing K-12 consolidated school.
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Fertile
Fertile is a beautiful town located on the Winnebago river. Fertile offers a restaurant, boutique, two Air BNB’s for a quiet getaway, canoeing, fishing and other great outdoor activities.
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Forest City
Whatever your reason for traveling to Forest City, business or pleasure, recreation or research, Forest City offers a wide variety of activities to help you have a good time. There are regular events hosted by the city, including a Newcomers Open House to welcome new residents and help them to plug into the community.
Visit the Forest City Website
Visit the Chamber Website
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Grafton
Grafton is known for fun community events. They celebrate Turkey Day every summer and Adult Prom every March. It is a great small town with wonderful people.
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Hanlontown
Hanlontown attracts visitors to its annual summer solstice, celebrated since 1980. This is when the sun sets between the rails of the Union Pacific Railroad line that runs through the community. Celebrated on the third Saturday of June, and on the evening of June 21 when Ice Cream Sundays are served at the tracks.
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Joice
Today, Joice continues to be home to thriving businesses in the community and the immediate surrounding area. These include the county shop, fire station, bank, post office, public library, insurance business, church, and grain elevator all within the city limits. Within close proximity to the community are another church, excavating/drainage business, a cooperative and fertilizer plant, appliance recycling facility, heating/cooling business, wind farm, engineering/tooling business, transport company, and an equestrian center. Joice is well positioned for future business growth and development, with new municipal city utilities completed and being located only 4-5 miles west of Interstate 35.
The town implemented a municipal water and wastewater system along with an annexation of additional property into city limits. Presently, the city offers garbage pickup and recycling services for its residents through contracts with providers. The city also provides snow plowing in the winter and year-round road maintenance. The city council is...Learn More »
Kensett
Kensett offers the quiet living of the country, yet has many amenities of the larger city. They have hard surface streets, sanitary sewer system, natural gas service, fiber optic telephone-television, wireless internet service and cable television.
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Lake Mills
Lake Mills, Iowa, offers a low cost of living along with high quality services and resources. This is an excellent place to plant your roots! The Lake Mills community schools are committed to promoting and maintaining an atmosphere of teaching and learning that encourage students to pursue personal excellence and to prepare for the challenge of tomorrow.
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Leland
Leland is a community knit together by history, faith, friendships, with a future that looks bright!
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Manly
In 1877, the Burlington/Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad (BCR&N) joined the Central of Iowa track with its own track from Plymouth Junction. The site was named Manly Junction after Central of Iowa's freight agent, J.C. Manly.
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Northwood
Northwood is a city in Worth County, Iowa, United States, along the Shell Rock River. The population was 1,989 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Worth County. Northwood is part of the Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area. Local events can be found on the chamber website here.
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Rake
“A Little Bit Of Norway, A Lot Of Pride’ is the slogan of the town and is featured on the sign at the edge of the community. Rake also has a ‘sister city’ relationship with Rocka, Norway.
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Scarville
Scarville has a population under 100, but overflows with over 1,500 each year for the annual 4th of July Celebration. A highlight of that event is the parade which goes down Main Street twice, meaning double the candy for the kids (and any lucky adults who catch any).
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Thompson
Thompson is a city in Winnebago County, Iowa, United States. The population was 502 at the 2010 census. Thompson is home to the Winnebago County Fair held annually. Thompson was platted in 1892. It was incorporated as a city in 1894.
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