Moving to Boone: Pros, Cons & What to Know
Moving to Boone means joining a genuinely distinctive railroad-heritage town in central Iowa, anchored by the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and one of the nation's tallest double-track railroad bridges.
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Learn moreA genuinely distinctive railroad-heritage identity
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad operates historic trains over former Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern interurban track, with the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum on-site; the nearby Kate Shelley High Bridge (156 feet high, completed 1901) is one of the highest and longest double-track railroad bridges in the United States (base record).
The real Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace
First Lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower was born in Boone on November 14, 1896, at 709 Carroll St. -- her birthplace is one of only two First Lady birthplaces designated a National Historic Site, alongside Abigail Adams's Massachusetts home (base record).
Genuinely affordable housing
Boone's median home value ran approximately $156,400 -- about 49% below the national median -- with average rent approximately $925/month, roughly 53% below the national average (base record).
A real, disclosed senior population
Boone's 65-and-older share ran approximately 18.3% at the city level and 20.1%-21.1% countywide -- at or above this project's ~18% national retiring-relevance threshold (base record).
Key takeaways
- Boone's railroad heritage centers on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and the historic Kate Shelley High Bridge.
- The Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace is a real National Historic Site, one of only two for a First Lady.
- Boone's median home value (~$156,400) runs about 49% below the national median.
- A disclosed senior population share (~18.3%-21.1%) runs at or above this project's national retiring threshold.
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