North Iowa Area Info
Rich in history and heavy on charm, the North Iowa area offers big city excitement blended with small town hospitality. 
As the largest city in the region, Mason City benefits from its “crossroads” location 2 hours from Minneapolis, MN and Des Moines, IA.
Iowa is ranked as a Top 10 Best State to Practice Medicine in by Forbes’ Best States for Business, and best U.S. state for young adults by Money Rates.
Residents in the area adore the small-town atmosphere — low crime rate, affordable housing with spacious yards and caring neighborhoods — without sacrificing important assets.
- You will love the low cost of living in the North Iowa area, which is 24% lower than the U.S. average.
- A progressive educational system, that ranks ninth nationwide for quality of education.
- Commute times are short (17 min on average), and the people are friendly and welcoming.
- The communities located within the area offer diverse, beautiful places to visit paired with engaging historical and cultural experiences.
The North Iowa area has an abundance of amenities, including:
- Award-winning breweries
- A new indoor 2,000 seat multi-purpose arena
- National touring concerts/performing arts
- NAHL and NA3HL hockey teams & figure skating
- Fine arts museums & sculptures walk
- Historic rock ‘n roll landmark, the "Surf Ballroom"
- Frank Lloyd Wright architecture
- Miles of trails and festivals galore
Shopping options include a blend of specialty shops / boutiques and national retailers. Dining options span from casual meals to fine dining and ethnic flavors . All combined with the perks of a small family-friendly community.
If you love outdoor recreation, North Iowa is the place for you! Discover sandy beaches and clear waters at Clear Lake, a beautiful recreational lake. Mason City features a beautiful nature center with trails and events year-round!
We invite you to experience North Iowa’s hospitality, vibrant economy and four seasons of fun things to do! To learn more, select the links below.