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Cedar Rapids, IA

Frequently asked questions

Cedar Rapids, IA

Cedar Rapids is the second-most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa and the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, 20 miles (32 km) north of Iowa City and 128 miles (206 km) northeast of Des Moines, the state's capital. It is a part of the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City region of Eastern Iowa, which includes Linn, Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Jones, Johnson, and Washington counties.

At the 2020 census, the city population was 137,710. The population of the three-county Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, which includes the nearby cities of Marion and Hiawatha, was 276,520 in 2020. Cedar Rapids is an economic hub of the state, located at the core of the Interstate 380 corridor. The Cedar Rapids metropolitan area is also a part of a combined statistical area with the Iowa City metropolitan area.

Cedar Rapids is nicknamed the "City of Five Seasons", for the so-called "fifth season", which is time to enjoy the other four. This slogan is often satirized by residents as the "City of Five Smells", as a result of the smell combinations in the 1970s from the city's Quaker Oats and Penford factories, a hog slaughterhouse, and the municipal sewage plant and landfill. The symbol of the five seasons is the Tree of Five Seasons sculpture downtown along the north river bank. The name "Five Seasons" and representations of the sculpture appear throughout the city in many forms. A flourishing center for arts and culture in Eastern Iowa, the city is home to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, the Paramount Theatre, Orchestra Iowa, Theatre Cedar Rapids, the African American Museum of Iowa, and the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance. In the 1990s and 2000s, several Cedar Rapidians became well-known actors, including Ashton Kutcher, Elijah Wood, Terry Farrell, and Ron Livingston. The city is the setting for the musical The Pajama Game and the comedy film Cedar Rapids.

The city is divided into four quadrants, used for assigning street addresses. 1st Avenue (U.S. Route 151 Business) divides the north and south sides of the city, and the Cedar River divides east and west. Mays Island, in the middle of the river, is the only area of the city where addresses have no quadrant. Areas outside the city limits that have a Cedar Rapids mailing address do not use the quadrants either.

Except in the downtown area, 1st Avenue and the Cedar River tend to run diagonally instead of along the cardinal directions. Due to the curving of 1st Avenue, there are some areas in western Cedar Rapids where NW addresses are south of SW addresses.

Cedar Rapids is divided into 14 ZIP Codes. Mays Island and the downtown area are covered by 52401. The northeast quadrant is covered by 52402 and 52411. The southeast quadrant is covered by 52403. The southwest quadrant is covered by 52404. The northwest quadrant is covered by 52405. Post office boxes are covered by ZIP codes 52406, 52407, 52408, 52409, and 52410. Several other ZIP codes are for specific businesses (Aegon USA, Collins Aerospace, etc.).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 72.07 square miles (186.66 km²), of which 70.8 square miles (183.37 km²) is land and 1.27 square miles (3.29 km²) is water.

Cedar Rapids places a high priority on the health and wellness of its residents. St. Luke's Hospital is a prominent healthcare institution, offering comprehensive medical services to the community. The Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA offers comprehensive fitness programs, swimming pools, and community events, making it a hub for family-friendly activities. The Sanctuary Spa provides a tranquil escape with luxurious treatments such as massages, facials, and body wraps. Aspire Yoga Studio focuses on enhancing physical and mental well-being through a variety of yoga classes tailored to different skill levels. Planet Fitness offers a judgment-free environment with state-of-the-art equipment and group fitness classes, perfect for both beginners and seasoned athletes. Revive Aesthetics specializes in medical aesthetics and wellness treatments, including Botox, facials, and laser therapies. Orangetheory Fitness delivers high-intensity interval training sessions designed to improve cardiovascular health and overall fitness. Finally, The MAC - Midwest Athletic Club offers premium fitness facilities, tennis courts, and a variety of sports programs. Together, these facilities ensure Cedar Rapids residents have ample options for maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Top sites in Cedar Rapids, IA are National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, and Indian Creek Nature Center.

Population: 135,958 (2023). ZIP codes: 52227, 52228, 52233, 52324, 52338, 52401-11, 52497-99. Area code: 319. Elevation: 810 ft (247 m). Area: 74.26 sq mi (192.32 km²).

FAQs

Is Cedar Rapids, IA a good place to live?

Cedar Rapids is ranked one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. by Livability.com (2024). The list, with no official order, ranked cities among factors including economic strength, cost of living, amenities, efficient transportation, air quality, safety, education quality, and more. Based on the publication's "Quality of Life LivScore," Cedar Rapids jumped nine spots in 2024, up to #41 over its previous #50 position in 2023 and 2022. Iowa City is the only other community in Iowa to be featured on the list in 2024.

What is the ethnicity of people in Cedar Rapids, IA?

Cedar Rapids is a city located in Benton County, Johnson County, and Linn County Iowa. Cedar Rapids has a 2024 population of 135,358. It is also the county seat of Linn County. Cedar Rapids is currently declining at a rate of -0.44% annually and its population has decreased by -1.74% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 137,758 in 2020. According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Cedar Rapids was: White: 80.86%, Black or African American: 8.65% Two or more races: 6.02%, Asian: 2.69%, Other race: 1.31%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.28%, Native American: 0.18%.

What is Cedar Rapids, IA crime rate?

With a crime rate of 34 per one thousand residents, Cedar Rapids has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 30. Within Iowa, more than 98% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Cedar Rapids.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Cedar Rapids

Neighborhood Scout

World Population Review

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Indian Creek Nature Center

St. Luke's Hospital

Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA

The Sanctuary Spa

Aspire Yoga Studio

Planet Fitness

Revive Aesthetics

Orangetheory Fitness

MAC - Midwest Athletic Club

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