One small town in the midwest is getting a lot of attention after The New Yorker proclaimed it the place “where the small town American dream lives on.” Orange City, Iowa is filled with great people, beautiful scenery and a special something that hooks residents and visitors for life.
Here’s why it’s easy to agree that this tiny town is a near-perfect place to live or visit.
Orange City, Iowa may just be the most idyllic small town in the country.
Orange City
The community of 6,000 was founded by Dutch immigrants about 150 years ago.
Flickr/Ali Eminov
It’s packed with small family-owned shops, restaurants, lush green space and oodles of tulips.
Flickr/Ali Eminov
The Dutch-inspired architecture and blooming sidewalks make simply strolling through town feel special.
Flickr/Denis Krebs
Orange City isn’t just a pretty face, though. With a median income of about $60,000 and a three- or four-bedroom home costing about $160,000, it’s an affordable spot for families and young people.
Flickr/Ali Eminov
What’s more, the unemployment rate is a mere 2 percent. That may have something to do with the high school graduation rate of 98 percent.
Flickr/Ali Eminov
And unlike other small towns, Orange City has a knack for keeping its young people around.
Flickr/Ali Eminov
Rather than move away to big cities, Orange City high school and college graduates often choose to remain in their hometown.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Furthermore, research by Stanford and Harvard Universities suggests that the county where Orange City is located is among the best places in America for kids to grow up.
Flickr/Denise Krebs
The research cites the “community effects” of a strong school system, church involvement (there are 16 in town!) and diversity as reasons why kids thrive here.
Flickr/Ali Eminov
Residents don’t need research to tell them that Orange City is a great place to live. Locals say that an intense sense of loyalty to each other and the town is what makes Orange City shine.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson
Orange City is a picture-perfect small town with buckets of charm. Click here to learn more about visiting the town and experiencing all it has to offer. For more of the best destinations in Iowa, check out our list here.
Orange City
Flickr/Ali Eminov
Flickr/Denis Krebs
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Flickr/Denise Krebs
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson
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