Emmetsburg is an active community located in the northwest corner of Iowa. It’s a wonderful place to live and a great place to visit! In 2007, Emmetsburg was listed as one of the Top 100 Places to Live by Relocate-America website!

Emmetsburg is well-known for its excellent school system and athletic teams. Iowa Lakes Community College, Emmetsburg Campus, offers tremendous opportunities through its varied programs to area students of all ages. The Smith Wellness Center attracts people from around the area with its excellent facilities and programming.

Beautiful Five Island Lake is the center-piece of Emmetsburg’s summer and winter recreation. Carved from the prairie by the departing glacier, this thousand-acre lake offers excellent summertime fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

The citizens of Emmetsburg have invested over $1.5 million in the dredging and improvement of the lake. The long-term project has resulted in reaching their goal – to improve the water quality and depth. The recreational uses of the lake have increased dramatically.

Kearny State Park is located on its western shore and offers a camp ground, boat dock, swimming, and fishing. Next door to the Park is an excellent public golf course and a restaurant and lounge. Winter offers opportunities for snowmobiling, cross country skiing, ice fishing, hockey, and recreational skating.

The environment is great for businesses. Wild Rose Casino and Resort opened in 2006. Poet Biorefining opened in 2004, and is proceeding with their expansion venture, Project Liberty, the $200 million transformation funded by Poet, along with an $80 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Many activities are offered for citizens, such as an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 9-hole golf course, tennis and basketball courts, new wrestling facility, parks, boating, skiing, and fishing, numerous organized activities for youth and adults through the City Recreation Program and the Wellness Center Program.

Emmetsburg also offers a multitude of medical services. An expanded hospital, medical clinic, and related facilities support the medical needs of the community. Skilled care for the elderly and handicapped is provided. Emmetsburg has an active Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development Board. There is a healthy environment for new business and housing opportunities.

As of 2007, Emmetsburg's population is 3,664 people. The median home cost in Emmetsburg is $109,500. Home appreciation the last year has been 1.31 percent.

Compared to the rest of the country, Emmetsburg's cost of living is 25.15%, well lower than the U.S. average. Click here for information on Emmetsburg's workforce.

Those who are interested in moving to Emmetsburg will find it a warm and welcoming community.