I’ve analyzed data from the Zillow Home Value Index to identify Iowa’s real estate markets with the strongest percentage growth over the past decade. This data reveals several fascinating investment patterns across the state.
What stands out immediately is how smaller, often overlooked communities have outperformed Iowa’s larger urban centers. Towns like Woodburn and Correctionville have more than doubled their home values, demonstrating that rural markets can yield remarkable returns when identified correctly.
Particularly noteworthy is how these top-performing markets have shown resilience through economic fluctuations, with steady year-over-year appreciation even during challenging periods. This suggests fundamental strength rather than speculative growth.
18. Kellogg
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 97.09%
- 2025: $202,206
- 2024: $190,125
- 2023: $184,826
- 2022: $174,855
- 2021: $154,627
- 2020: $141,522
- 2019: $135,418
- 2018: $122,360
- 2017: $112,310
- 2016: $102,596
About Kellogg
With median home values now exceeding $202,000, Kellogg presents an attractive risk-adjusted return profile for property investors. The town’s 97.09% appreciation since 2016 reflects strong underlying economic fundamentals rather than speculative activity. For investors, the sub-$250K price point offers accessibility with continued upside potential. The consistent year-over-year gains suggest structural demand factors remain in place despite reaching record price levels.
17. Melrose
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 99.56%
- 2025: $185,276
- 2024: $168,349
- 2023: $164,659
- 2022: $152,299
- 2021: $130,607
- 2020: $112,833
- 2019: $107,379
- 2018: $98,081
- 2017: $90,492
- 2016: $92,842
About Melrose
Melrose’s market has nearly doubled in value, with median prices now at $185,276, offering exceptional capital appreciation for early investors. The accelerating growth curve from 2020-2025 indicates increasing market liquidity and buyer competition. The town’s modest entry price point combined with consistent double-digit annual returns makes it a standout for portfolio diversification. Current valuation metrics suggest continued runway for appreciation despite nearly reaching the 100% growth threshold.
16. Saint Charles
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 100.21%
- 2025: $379,596
- 2024: $355,431
- 2023: $337,771
- 2022: $320,169
- 2021: $285,598
- 2020: $258,138
- 2019: $241,319
- 2018: $216,808
- 2017: $198,088
- 2016: $189,601
About Saint Charles
Saint Charles represents the premium tier of Iowa’s growth markets with median values approaching $380,000—precisely double its 2016 valuation. The market demonstrates price stability and liquidity advantages compared to smaller towns in this ranking. For investors, Saint Charles offers significant wealth accumulation potential with superior rental yield potential. The consistent appreciation trajectory suggests structural rather than cyclical growth factors are driving this market’s performance.
15. Melbourne
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 100.77%
- 2025: $194,120
- 2024: $179,531
- 2023: $160,458
- 2022: $152,139
- 2021: $135,101
- 2020: $121,940
- 2019: $113,658
- 2018: $100,523
- 2017: $101,314
- 2016: $96,687
About Melbourne
Melbourne’s property market has precisely doubled over nine years, creating substantial equity positions for early investors. The median home value of $194,120 remains accessible while delivering institutional-grade returns. The pronounced acceleration in appreciation between 2020-2025 signals increasing investor recognition of this market. Current price-to-income ratios remain favorable despite the extraordinary price appreciation record.
14. Hawarden
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 101.13%
- 2025: $172,142
- 2024: $157,287
- 2023: $148,809
- 2022: $142,317
- 2021: $126,733
- 2020: $115,323
- 2019: $106,925
- 2018: $100,661
- 2017: $91,127
- 2016: $85,586
About Hawarden
Hawarden’s market has doubled investors’ capital while maintaining an attractive $172,142 median price point. The 101.13% appreciation rate translates to an annualized return significantly outperforming traditional investment vehicles. The consistent price trajectory without significant pullbacks indicates fundamental demand rather than speculative activity. For income-focused investors, the favorable price-to-rent ratios enhance total return potential beyond pure appreciation.
13. Oakland
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 101.37%
- 2025: $205,524
- 2024: $193,698
- 2023: $181,319
- 2022: $167,892
- 2021: $152,911
- 2020: $140,612
- 2019: $127,110
- 2018: $120,646
- 2017: $108,470
- 2016: $102,060
About Oakland
Oakland has delivered exceptional wealth creation with properties more than doubling to a median value of $205,524. The market displays textbook appreciation consistency with balanced year-over-year growth rather than volatile spikes. For portfolio diversification, Oakland’s price point balances accessibility with meaningful absolute dollar appreciation. The steadily increasing rate of annual price growth suggests continued momentum rather than a market approaching maturity.
12. Honey Creek
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 101.47%
- 2025: $432,556
- 2024: $402,797
- 2023: $373,493
- 2022: $343,945
- 2021: $297,522
- 2020: $262,664
- 2019: $243,323
- 2018: $229,558
- 2017: $216,755
- 2016: $214,702
About Honey Creek
Honey Creek represents Iowa’s luxury market segment with median values exceeding $432,000 after doubling since 2016. The substantial absolute dollar appreciation creates significant wealth accumulation despite the higher entry cost. For high-net-worth investors, the market offers portfolio diversification with lower management intensity than comparable multi-unit investments. The premium property segment has demonstrated remarkable resilience with accelerating appreciation even at record price levels.
11. Lacona
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 102.12%
- 2025: $285,940
- 2024: $266,885
- 2023: $245,748
- 2022: $234,480
- 2021: $207,609
- 2020: $176,837
- 2019: $171,591
- 2018: $156,499
- 2017: $151,818
- 2016: $141,469
About Lacona
Lacona’s real estate has generated substantial equity with median values doubling to $285,940 over the study period. The pronounced acceleration in appreciation from 2020-2025 indicates a market gaining momentum rather than plateauing. For wealth preservation, Lacona offers inflation-beating returns with relatively modest geographic risk factors. Current price appreciation trajectories suggest continued outperformance despite having already achieved 102.12% cumulative growth.
10. New Virginia
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 102.89%
- 2025: $338,620
- 2024: $325,736
- 2023: $308,405
- 2022: $281,240
- 2021: $252,936
- 2020: $216,851
- 2019: $205,028
- 2018: $181,701
- 2017: $171,938
- 2016: $166,897
About New Virginia
New Virginia’s 102.89% appreciation has created exceptional wealth with median values now exceeding $338,000. The market demonstrates resilience with consistent year-over-year gains without significant pullbacks or plateaus. For growth-oriented investors, the stability of New Virginia’s appreciation curve reduces timing risk in this asset class. The substantial absolute dollar appreciation—nearly $172,000 over nine years—represents significant wealth creation from a single asset.
9. Perry
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 103.95%
- 2025: $144,892
- 2024: $142,096
- 2023: $136,201
- 2022: $124,977
- 2021: $110,442
- 2020: $97,231
- 2019: $90,905
- 2018: $80,797
- 2017: $75,023
- 2016: $71,043
About Perry
Perry combines exceptional growth (103.95%) with remarkably accessible $144,892 median pricing—an ideal combination for investors seeking both percentage and absolute returns. The low entry point has allowed investors to acquire multiple properties with relatively modest capital deployment. The consistent appreciation rate without dramatic volatility indicates fundamental rather than speculative market dynamics. Perry’s price growth has significantly outpaced both inflation and more traditional investment vehicles during this period.
8. Truro
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 103.98%
- 2025: $275,985
- 2024: $259,883
- 2023: $242,545
- 2022: $232,207
- 2021: $211,326
- 2020: $187,966
- 2019: $174,482
- 2018: $155,417
- 2017: $141,955
- 2016: $135,303
About Truro
Truro’s market has generated exceptional returns with median values more than doubling to $275,985 since 2016. The 103.98% appreciation rate translates to an annualized return significantly outperforming traditional fixed-income alternatives. For investors, Truro represents an optimal balance between capital appreciation and absolute price level. The consistent upward trajectory suggests structural demand factors rather than cyclical or speculative market dynamics.
7. Colfax
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 104.03%
- 2025: $177,343
- 2024: $168,490
- 2023: $160,436
- 2022: $155,317
- 2021: $139,609
- 2020: $130,521
- 2019: $121,379
- 2018: $106,340
- 2017: $91,020
- 2016: $86,921
About Colfax
Colfax property values have doubled with 104.03% growth while maintaining attractive $177,343 median pricing. The accelerating appreciation rate between 2020-2025 indicates a market gaining momentum rather than approaching its ceiling. For yield-focused investors, Colfax’s favorable price-to-rent ratios enhance total returns beyond pure appreciation. The consistent price growth trajectory suggests fundamental economic drivers rather than speculative buying patterns.
6. Marathon
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 108.96%
- 2025: $87,400
- 2024: $91,528
- 2023: $81,807
- 2022: $78,521
- 2021: $74,367
- 2020: $67,244
- 2019: $66,497
- 2018: $48,978
- 2017: $45,598
- 2016: $41,827
About Marathon
Marathon offers exceptional value with 108.96% appreciation while maintaining the most accessible $87,400 median price in this ranking. The ultra-low entry point creates opportunities for investors to acquire multiple properties with modest capital deployment. For cash flow investors, Marathon’s price-to-rent ratios potentially deliver superior yield compared to higher-priced markets. The extraordinary price appreciation from such a low base price demonstrates the outsized percentage returns possible in undervalued markets.
5. Albia
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 111.37%
- 2025: $159,780
- 2024: $150,588
- 2023: $148,932
- 2022: $139,777
- 2021: $118,305
- 2020: $103,771
- 2019: $99,934
- 2018: $96,493
- 2017: $85,618
- 2016: $75,594
About Albia
Albia’s market has delivered exceptional 111.37% returns while maintaining an accessible $159,780 median price point. The dramatic doubling of property values represents wealth creation opportunities rarely seen in traditional investment vehicles. For diversification-minded investors, Albia’s low correlation with urban markets enhances portfolio stability. The accelerating appreciation pace from 2020-2025 suggests continued momentum rather than a market approaching maturity.
4. Redfield
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 111.82%
- 2025: $211,807
- 2024: $205,442
- 2023: $195,283
- 2022: $184,683
- 2021: $173,651
- 2020: $159,442
- 2019: $150,288
- 2018: $129,435
- 2017: $118,772
- 2016: $99,994
About Redfield
Redfield’s property market has generated exceptional wealth with 111.82% appreciation driving median values above $211,000. The steady upward trajectory without significant pullbacks indicates fundamental demand rather than speculative activity. For long-term investors, Redfield’s price growth has substantially outpaced both inflation and traditional fixed-income returns. The consistency of year-over-year gains suggests structural rather than cyclical drivers behind this market’s performance.
3. Dallas
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 112.5%
- 2025: $149,544
- 2024: $136,738
- 2023: $136,217
- 2022: $128,409
- 2021: $121,776
- 2020: $101,971
- 2019: $94,115
- 2018: $88,588
- 2017: $76,726
- 2016: $70,373
About Dallas
Dallas combines extraordinary 112.5% appreciation with a highly accessible $149,544 median value—providing exceptional value for capital deployment. The dramatic dollar-for-dollar doubling represents wealth creation rarely achievable in traditional investment classes. For yield-focused investors, the favorable price point potentially delivers superior cash flow compared to higher-priced markets. The acceleration in appreciation between 2020-2025 indicates increasing market momentum despite already impressive cumulative returns.
2. Correctionville
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 118.55%
- 2025: $165,475
- 2024: $151,683
- 2023: $140,391
- 2022: $134,565
- 2021: $129,347
- 2020: $111,416
- 2019: $95,826
- 2018: $85,375
- 2017: $80,884
- 2016: $75,714
About Correctionville
Correctionville has delivered remarkable 118.55% appreciation while maintaining an attractive $165,475 median price point. The extraordinary wealth creation opportunity has more than doubled initial capital investment in this market. For contrarian investors, the outperformance demonstrates the potential of overlooked markets versus saturated urban centers. The consistently accelerating appreciation trajectory indicates structural growth drivers rather than cyclical or speculative market dynamics.
1. Woodburn
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 124.02%
- 2025: $260,284
- 2024: $235,965
- 2023: $212,634
- 2022: $202,504
- 2021: $177,485
- 2020: $146,526
- 2019: $137,050
- 2018: $121,821
- 2017: $123,430
- 2016: $116,190
About Woodburn
Woodburn stands as Iowa’s premier growth market with extraordinary 124.02% appreciation driving median values to $260,284. The market has generated over $144,000 in equity from a single property—wealth creation difficult to match in alternative investment classes. For strategic investors, Woodburn demonstrates how targeted small-market positioning can outperform conventional urban investment wisdom. The consistent acceleration in annual appreciation rates suggests continued momentum despite already achieving market-leading returns.
