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Norwalk, IA

Frequently asked questions

Norwalk, IA

Norwalk is a city in Warren County, with some small portions extending into Polk County, in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 12,799 at the time of the 2020 census. The city is part of the Des Moines metropolitan area and is located just south of the Des Moines International Airport.

The first settlers came to the Norwalk area in about 1846. One of them, Samuel Crow, settled near the North River. The first construction on the site which is now Norwalk began with a log cabin built by Samuel Snyder. The following year more families settled in the little town known as Pyra. A post office was established in the town on June 18, 1856. George W. Swan laid out the town and erected a hotel. Mr. Swan, who was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, and was associated with a newspaper in Norwalk, Ohio, changed the town's name to Norwalk. The first railroad into town was constructed in 1882 a narrow gauge line from Des Moines to Cainsville, Missouri. In the 1890s the railroad was acquired by a subsidiary of the Burlington Railroad and was widened to standard gauge. Its primary use was for shipping the farmers’ livestock to various markets. The line was abandoned in 1947 after a flood had severely damaged the North River bridge.

Norwalk was incorporated in 1900 with Adam Stiffler serving as its first mayor. At the time, the town was one square mile in size. Phone service was introduced in Norwalk in 1903. Many additions and land acquisitions have contributed to Norwalk's growth. The first was the triangle formed by Highway 28, High Road, and Cherry Parkway on November 11, 1969. The second was the development of a residential area in what is now the middle of town containing the Norwalk United Methodist Church and the Regency Nursing Home. Several farm annexations were made in the 70s and 80s that greatly expanded the city's footprint. Further annexations continue to this day as the city seeks to maximize its economic growth potential. Norwalk is regionally notable as having three golf courses, two of which sit amidst residential developments, Echo Valley and the Legacy.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.09 square miles (28.72 km²), of which 10.74 square miles (27.82 km²) is land and 0.35 square miles (0.91 km²) is water. Norwalk holds the unofficial record for the largest amount of rainfall in 24 hours for any town in Iowa, with more than 9 inches falling June 9–10, 2011. 

Health and wellness are integral aspects of Norwalk's community life. The Norwalk Community School District emphasizes the importance of physical well-being, providing students with access to various sports and fitness programs. Anytime Fitness provides 24/7 access to top-notch exercise equipment and personalized fitness coaching. Wright Physiotherapy specializes in rehabilitation and physical therapy services to aid in recovery and enhance mobility. vIVid Life Spa focuses on relaxation and rejuvenation with a range of massage and skincare treatments. Norwalk Chiropractic Center offers holistic health solutions through chiropractic care and wellness counseling. MercyOne Norwalk Family Medicine Clinic offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. For a more holistic approach, visit the Warrior Yoga Studio for rejuvenating yoga sessions.

Top sites in Norwalk, IA are Blank Park Zoo, The Legacy Golf Club, and Raccoon River Park.

Population: 15,396 (2024). ZIP code: 50211. Area code: 515. Elevation: 886 ft (270 m). Area: 11.91 sq mi (30.84 km²).

FAQs

Is Norwalk, IA a good place to live?

Norwalk is a suburb of Des Moines with a population of 13,057. Norwalk is in Warren County and is one of the best places to live in Iowa. Living in Norwalk offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Norwalk, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Norwalk and residents tend to be conservative. The public schools in Norwalk are above average.

Is it expensive to live in Norwalk, IA?

Norwalk's housing expenses are 13% lower than the national average and the utility prices are 15% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 12% lower than the national average. Norwalk has grocery prices that are 2% lower than the national average. Healthcare in Norwalk is 4% lower than the national average.

What is the crime rate in Norwalk, IA?

According to NeighborhoodScout's analysis of FBI crime statistics, Norwalk is safer than 87% of the cities and towns in the US of all population sizes. In Iowa, only on the order of 26% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in the community is 1 in 373. The US average across communities from the largest to the smallest is 1 in 43.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Norwalk

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

Payscale

Blank Park Zoo

The Legacy Golf Club

Raccoon River Park

Norwalk Community School District

Anytime Fitness

Wright Physiotherapy

vIVid Life Spa

Norwalk Chiropractic Center 

MercyOne Norwalk Family Medicine Clinic

Warrior Yoga Studio

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