Storm Lake

Northwest Iowa’s Best Kept Secret: Storm Lake, Iowa

Storm Lake is a dynamic community with culture, recreation, and a thriving business scene. This lively town boasts local shops, diverse dining experiences, exciting events, and numerous recreational opportunities. Storm Lake’s breathtaking natural resources, including boating, fishing, hiking, and beautiful beaches, create an exceptional quality of life. Storm Lake is extraordinarily diverse, with over 35 native languages represented. It hosts one of Iowa’s great private universities.

“We used to say that Storm Lake was Iowa’s best-kept secret, but it’s no secret anymore. We’re one of Iowa’s fastest-growing rural cities, with Iowa’s most diverse population and a rapidly growing tourism appeal. It’s kind of nice to be noticed.” 

– Storm Lake Communications Coordinator Dana Larsen

Business and Entrepreneurial Culture

Storm Lake’s business community is both strong and unique. It offers a bustling downtown; active business districts along Milwaukee Avenue, North Lake Avenue, and Awaysis Park; and a robust industrial park. Storm Lake’s cultural diversity adds to its flourishing entrepreneurship, with immigrant entrepreneurs from cultures around the world establishing shops and restaurants.

Top Reasons for Families to Move Here

  • Education Excellence: From preschool to master’s degree, Storm Lake offers modern, quality educational options.
  • Quality of Life: The town’s parks and recreational activities ensure an active and enjoyable lifestyle.
  • Inclusive Community: Storm Lake is a safe, welcoming, and tolerant community where diverse backgrounds come together.

Top Reasons for Businesses to Relocate Here

  • Shovel-Ready Business Sites: Storm Lake offers cost-effective, prime locations for businesses.
  • Skilled Workforce: A well-educated workforce with a strong work ethic is readily available.
  • Thriving Business Network: An established business community encourages entrepreneurship and networking.

Experience Storm Lake

Storm Lake, Iowa, isn’t just a place to visit; it’s a great place to live and an ideal destination for a weekend getaway. Explore the culture, businesses, and recreational opportunities that make Storm Lake stand out.

 

 

 

Population

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Population

Population 2000 2010 2025 2030
Storm Lake 10,140 10,640 11,389 11,567

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

Population by Age

Population 2025
0-4 816
5-9 811
10-14 862
15-19 1,105
20-24 891
25-29 711
30-34 828
35-39 777
40-44 693
45-49 542
50-54 544
55-59 589
60-64 571
65-69 521
70-74 462
75-79 259
80-84 165
85+ 242
18+ 8,411
Median Age 33

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

Population by Race

Storm Lake 2025
Total 11,389.00
White Alone 38.37%
Black Alone 5.5%
American Indian Alone 0.83%
Asian Alone 14.44%
Pacific Islander Alone 5.92%
Some Other Race 20.32%
Two or More Races 14.63%
Hispanic Origin 41.20%
Diversity Index 87.80

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

Growth Rate

Storm Lake 2025 - 2030
Population 0.31%
Households 0.11%
Families -0.31%
Median Household Income 3%
Per Capita Income 2%

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

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Housing

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Households

Population 2000 2010 2025 2030
Households 3,493 3,555 3,590 3,610
Housing Units 3,735 3,812 3,936 3,956
Owner Occupied Units 2,253 2,253
Renter Occupied Units 1,337 1,357
Vacant Units 346 346

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

Home Value

Storm Lake 2025 2030
Median Home Value $198,461 $228,298
Average Home Value $270,800 $312,922
<$50,000 37 28
$50,000 - $99,999 206 134
$100,000 - $149,999 500 376
$150,000 - $199,999 396 374
$200,000 - $249,999 363 379
$250,000 - $299,999 90 85
$300,000 - $399,999 256 317
$400,000 - $499,999 155 231
$500,000 - $749,999 91 121
$1,000,000 + 0 0

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

Housing Year Built

Year Range Houses Built
2010 or Later 495
2000-2009 40
1990-1999 236
1980-1989 654
1970-1979 559
1960-1969 739
1950-1959 473
1940-1949 86
1939 or Before 996

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

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Income

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Income

Storm Lake 2025 2030
Median Household $60,132 $69,211
Average Household $88,297 $97,724
Per Capita $28,112 $30,774

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

Household Income

Storm Lake 2025
<$15,000 191
$15,000 - $24,999 336
$25,000 - $34,999 260
$35,000 - $49,999 630
$50,000 - $74,999 655
$75,000 - $99,999 433
$100,000 - $149,999 584
$150,000 - $199,999 277
$200,000+ 224

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

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Employees

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Commute

Category Commuters
Workers 16+ 5,472
In-County Residents 5,106
Out-of-County Residents 366
Drive Alone 3,350
Carpooled 1,272
Public Transport 0
Work at Home 305
Motorcycle 0
Bicycle 32
Walked 513
Other 0
Less than 5 minutes 797
5-9 minutes 2,248
10-14 minutes 1,229
15-19 minutes 169
20-24 minutes 214
25-29 minutes 116
30-34 minutes 79
35-39 minutes 120
40-44 minutes 0
45-59 minutes 79
60-89 minutes 93
90+ minutes 23
Average Travel Time 0

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

Employees by NAICS

Category Number
Total Employees 8,163
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt 18
Mining 0
Utilities 55
Construction 392
Manufacturing 865
Wholesale Trade 205
   
Retail Trade 2,183
Motor Veh/Parts Dealers 101
Furn & Home Furnish Str 12
Electronics & Appl Store 5
Bldg Matl/Garden Equip 43
Food & Beverage Stores 153
Health/Pers Care Stores 97
Gasoline Stations 29
Clothing/Accessory Store 1,353
Sports/Hobby/Book/Music 77
General Merchandise Str 313
   
Transportation/Warehouse 81
Information 113
   
Finance & Insurance 303
Cntrl Bank/Crdt Intrmdtn 220
Sec/Cmdty Cntrct/Oth Inv 21
Insur/Funds/Trusts/Other 62
   
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing 133
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv 238
Legal Services 62
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises 99
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt 58
Educational Services 883
HealthCare/Social Assist 775
Arts/Entertainment/Rec 79
   
Accommodation/Food Srvcs 645
Accommodation 185
Food Srv/Drinking Places 460
   
Other Srv excl Pub Admin 683
Auto Repair/Maintenance 34
Public Administration Emp 355

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

Educational Attainment (25+)

Storm Lake 2025
<9th Grade 1,271
Some High School 653
GED 118
Graduated High School 1,992
Some College/No Degree 753
Associates Degree 690
Bachelor's Degree 932
Graduate Degree 495

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

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Businesses

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Businesses by NAICS

Category Number
Total Businesses 538
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt Bus 2
Mining Bus 0
Utilities Bus 1
Construction Bus 26
Manufacturing Bus 22
Wholesale Trade Bus 20
   
Retail Trade Bus 97
Motor Veh/Parts Dealers Bus 15
Furn & Home Furnish Str Bus 3
Electronics & Appl Store Bus 2
Bldg Matl/Garden Equip Bus 7
Food & Beverage Stores Bus 18
Health/Pers Care Stores Bus 19
Gasoline Stations Bus 6
Clothing/Accessory Store Bus 12
Sports/Hobby/Book/Music Bus 10
General Merchandise Str Bus 5
   
Transportation/Warehouse Bus 10
Information Bus 15
   
Finance & Insurance Bus 37
Cntrl Bank/Crdt Intrmdtn Bus 14
Sec/Cmdty Cntrct/Oth Inv Bus 6
Insur/Funds/Trusts/Other Bus 17
   
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing Bus 22
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv Bus 37
Legal Services Bus 14
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises Bus 3
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt Bus 11
Educational Services Bus 14
HealthCare/Social Assist Bus 48
Arts/Entertainment/Rec Bus 13
   
Accommodation/Food Srvcs Bus 37
Accommodation Bus 7
Food Srv/Drinking Places Bus 30
   
Other Srv excl Pub Admin Bus 72
Auto Repair/Maintenance Bus 10
Public Administration Bus 48

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

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