Eastern Region, IA Land for Sale

Eastern Iowa borders Minnesota to the north, Wisconsin and Illinois to the east, and Missouri the south. Cedar Rapids is the largest city in the region, with Davenport, Iowa City, Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Falls, Bettendorf and Marion being other larger cities. There are a number of higher education institutions in this region, including University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, Allen College, Clarke University, Coe College, Cornell College, Iowa Wesleyan College, Loras College, Luther College, Maharishi University of Management, Saint Ambrose University, Mount Mercy University, University of Dubuque, Upper Iowa University, Wartburg College and eight community colleges. Iowa City was the first American city designated by the United Nations as a "City of Literature" in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Creative Cities Network. Primary industries include manufacturing, high- technology industries, transportation, telecommunications, telemarketing and advanced research and development laboratories. The Cedar Rapids-Iowa City "Technology Corridor" leads the country in the defense electronic industry. There are a number of goods and other items produced in the Cedar Rapids area including cereal, syrup, sugar, dairy, mining and road machinery, boxboard and containers, automotive tools and machinery and radio electronics and avionics equipment.

In addition to Effigy Mounds National Monument, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Echo Valley State Park and Glover's Creek Fishing and Wildlife Area, there are many parks and campgrounds, including several which utilize the shore of the Mississippi River, which runs along the entire eastern border of Iowa and the Eastern region. Some highlights include Airport Lake Park, Buffalo Shores, Buffalo Creek Park, Devonian Fossil Gorge, Dunning Springs Park, with a spectacular 200-foot waterfall, Dutton's Cave Park, Elma Trailhead, Gouldsburg Park, along the confluence of Little Turkey River and Crane Creek, 300-acre Hartman Reserve Nature Center, Lake Sugema Campgrounds, 3,600 acres of campgrounds which overlook a 574-acre lake, and West Lake Park, featuring four lakes for fishing and swimming, a boat dock and beach area. Some other attractions include the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and Brucemore Mansion, Iowa's only National Trust for Historic Preservation Site.

Johnson County is located in the middle toward the southern part of Iowa's Eastern region. It is named for Richard Mentor Johnson, the ninth vice president of the U.S. Iowa City is the county seat and the largest city. Other large cities are Coralville and North Liberty, and there are eight other cities in the county and around 30 townships and unincorporated communities. There are a wide variety of businesses, including farming, retail, manufacturing and academics, as the University of Iowa is located in this county in Iowa City. There are 21 county parks, preserves and conservation areas and river accesses, encompassing more than 1,600 acres across the county. Some highlights include F.W. Kent Park, Frytown Conservation Area and Williams Prairie.

Black Hawk County is located in the western part of Iowa's Eastern region. It is named after a Sauk Native American leader during the Black Hawk War in 1832. It is the fourth most populated county in the state. Waterloo is the county seat and the largest city. Cedar Falls is also a large city in this county, and there are nine other cities and there are more than 20 other townships and unincorporated communities. The Cedar River bisects the county, and the land is mostly level since most of the county is on the river's flood plain. There are 37 county parks, river accesses, wetlands, wildlife areas, campgrounds, bike trails, geologic sites, lodges and a nature center, encompassing 8,200 acres. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, boating and kayaking. Other attractions include six wineries and brewing companies, Cedar Rock State Park, Charles City Whitewater at Riverfront Park, FFA Historical and Ag Museum, celebrating the areas agricultural heritage, Field of Dreams Movie Site, where the movie was filmed, National Farm Toy Museum and Old Bradford Pioneer Village. Primary industries in Black Hawk County include manufacturing, wholesale trade, retail trade, information, real estate, rental and leasing and professional, scientific and technical services.

Dubuque County is located on the eastern border of Iowa in the Eastern region, and borders Wisconsin and a portion of Illinois, and the Mississippi River. It is named for Julien Dubuque, the first European settler in Iowa. The city of Dubuque is the county seat and the largest city. Other larger cities are Asbury and Dyersville, and there are 17 other small cities in the county and less than 20 townships and unincorporated communities. Dubuque and the surrounding areas next to the Mississippi River have many steep hills, bluffs and ravines, which is considered a scenic area. The eastern portion of the county is more heavily wooded than the west, which is more farmland. Little Maquoketa River Mounds State Preserve, Mines of Spain State Recreation Area/E.B. Lyons Nature Center and White Pine Hollow State Forest, part of the Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge and part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge are located in Dubuque County. There are also 11 county parks, preserves and recreation areas, and Dubuque and other towns have their own public park systems. The economy is centered on business and industry in Dubuque, and there are also industrial areas in Cascade, Dyersville and Peosta, and the rest of the county is fairly rural and agriculturally driven. There are several higher education institutions in the county, including Clarke University, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Divine Word College, Emmaus Bible College, Wartburg Theological Seminary and Northeast Iowa Community College.