Living in Creston, IA
Union County
Creston is the Union County seat in southwest Iowa, with a real, genuine, and well-documented railroad-town origin: the Burlington and Missouri Railroad established Creston in 1868 as a survey site, choosing the name because the site sat on the 'crest' of the railroad line between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Creston became a real division point, home to a roundhouse that was, in the early 20th century, the largest American engine house west of Chicago, and the restored 1899 Chicago, Burlington and Quincy depot stands today, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Creston's population ran approximately 7,536 at the 2020 Census (approximately 7,854 per a 2026 estimate). Housing runs genuinely affordable, with an Ownwell-cited $101,140 median home price, though Creston's own 1.89% effective property tax rate runs meaningfully above both the national and Iowa statewide medians, producing a $1,869 median annual tax bill. Iowa's low, flat 3.8% state income tax and full Social Security/55+ retirement-income exemption offset that picture for many movers. Creston shares Iowa's real, statewide tornado, derecho, and winter-storm risk profile.
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Learn moreHousing
Creston's median home price ($101,140) is Ownwell's Creston-specific figure; a separate Zillow-specific typical-value figure was not found with confidence this pass.
Taxes
Not independently sourced at the Union County level this session. Iowa's top state income tax rate is 3.80%. See the Iowa hub page for the statewide property tax context -- do not treat that figure as Creston-specific.
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Get local guidanceThe tradeoffs
Pros
A real, genuine, and well-documented railroad heritage -- a National Register-listed 1899 depot and a former roundhouse that was once the largest engine house west of Chicago; genuinely affordable housing ($101,140 median price); and Iowa's real, low flat 3.8% state income tax with a full Social Security and 55+ retirement-income exemption.
Cons
Creston's own 1.89% effective property tax rate runs meaningfully above both the national and Iowa statewide medians; a confirmed, current named-employer list, city-specific rent figure, and Zillow-specific typical home value were not found with confidence this pass; and Iowa's real, statewide tornado/derecho/winter-storm risk applies.
Who this fits
Best for: Best fits budget-conscious movers with a genuine interest in railroad history, comfortable with a small southwest Iowa city's limited local job market and needing to confirm current employer and rental data directly.
Maybe not for you if: Probably not the right fit for movers prioritizing a low property tax rate specifically -- Creston's own rate runs meaningfully above both national and Iowa statewide medians -- or anyone needing a large local job market or nearby major-airport access.
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