Woodward, Iowa is a small rural community located in Dallas County, Iowa. The city of Woodward is situated along the West Nishnabotna River, which provides a scenic backdrop to the town. The surrounding area consists of rolling hills and open farmland, with some wooded areas and small lakes scattered throughout.
Woodward has a population of approximately 1,000 people and covers an area of 1.5 square miles. Despite its small size, Woodward has many amenities that make it an ideal place to live and work. There are several parks in the city offering plenty of recreational activities such as fishing, walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and sports fields.
The local economy is largely based on agriculture and manufacturing businesses that employ many residents. There are also several retail stores in town including grocery stores and pharmacies for everyday needs as well as antique shops for those looking for unique items from the past.
The nearest major city is Des Moines which is located about 35 miles away from Woodward. Des Moines offers many attractions such as museums, art galleries, shopping centers, restaurants and entertainment venues for visitors to enjoy while in town. The city also hosts numerous events throughout the year including concerts at Wells Fargo Arena, festivals at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and a variety of other activities for all ages to enjoy.
The climate in Woodward is typical of Midwest towns with hot summers and cold winters with occasional snowfall during the winter months. Summers tend to be humid with temperatures reaching into the 90s at times while winters can be very cold with temperatures dropping into single digits during extended periods of time. Despite this extreme weather variation throughout the year most days tend to be sunny and pleasant making it an ideal place to live year-round or visit during any season.
Woodward offers a great quality of life that combines rural living with modern amenities like those found in larger cities nearby while still maintaining the small-town charm that makes it so appealing to its residents today.
History of Woodward, Iowa
Woodward, Iowa is a small city located in Dallas County, about 35 miles north of Des Moines. With a population of just over 1,000 people, Woodward is one of the smallest cities in the state and has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1854.
The area that would become Woodward was originally settled by Native Americans who were soon followed by European settlers. The city was founded in 1854 when Thomas Woodward purchased 160 acres of land near the Raccoon River and built a cabin there. He named the area after himself and other settlers soon followed suit. By 1860, the population had grown to over 300 people and the town was officially incorporated as a city in 1864.
As more people moved to Woodward, businesses began to form including general stores, banks and mills which provided employment for many of the town’s residents. The railroad arrived in 1880 which helped boost commerce even further and allowed goods to be shipped to other parts of Iowa as well as neighboring states.
In addition to its economic growth, Woodward also saw an influx of cultural activity with churches being built throughout town as well as other buildings such as schools and libraries which provided educational opportunities for local children. The first newspaper was published in 1875 and several other publications followed shortly after that.
Throughout its history Woodward has experienced both highs and lows including devastating fires that destroyed much of downtown in 1893 and 1906 but each time the community rallied together to rebuild stronger than ever before.
Today, Woodward is still a small but vibrant community with many amenities such as parks offering plenty of recreational activities like fishing, walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and sports fields throughout town. There are also several retail stores including grocery stores and pharmacies for everyday needs plus antique shops.
Economy of Woodward, Iowa
Woodward, Iowa is a small city located in Dallas County, about 35 miles north of Des Moines. With a population of just over 1,000 people, Woodward is one of the smallest cities in the state and has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1854. The economy of Woodward has evolved significantly since its early days but remains largely focused on small businesses providing goods and services to the local community.
The area was originally settled by Native Americans who were soon followed by European settlers. The city was founded in 1854 when Thomas Woodward purchased 160 acres of land near the Raccoon River and built a cabin there. By 1860, the population had grown to over 300 people and the town was officially incorporated as a city in 1864. As more people moved to Woodward, businesses began to form including general stores, banks and mills which provided employment for many of the town’s residents.
The railroad arrived in 1880 which helped boost commerce even further and allowed goods to be shipped to other parts of Iowa as well as neighboring states. This increased access to markets outside of Woodward helped spur economic growth in the area as did improvements made throughout town such as street paving and increased access to electricity. In addition, many farms began popping up around town providing fresh produce for local markets while also contributing to economic growth through exports.
Today, Woodward’s economy is largely based on small businesses providing goods and services for locals within the community including retail stores like grocery stores and pharmacies for everyday needs plus antique shops along with restaurants offering both traditional American fare as well as ethnic cuisine from around the world. There are also several service-based businesses such auto repair shops, gas stations and mechanics that help keep local vehicles running smoothly while creating jobs for locals too.
Woodward also has several recreational activities available such as parks offering plenty of opportunities like fishing, walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and sports fields throughout town which help attract visitors from surrounding areas boosting tourism revenue for local businesses.
Woodward’s economy remains largely focused on small business owners catering primarily towards locals however it continues to evolve with new opportunities emerging each year helping keep this small city vibrant despite its size.
Politics in Woodward, Iowa
Woodward, Iowa is a small city located in Dallas County with a population of just over 3,000 people. The city is governed by a mayor-council form of government where the mayor is elected at-large and serves as the chief executive officer while the City Council consists of six members elected from each of Woodward’s three wards. The Council meets monthly to discuss and vote on matters of importance to the community such as budgets, tax rates, ordinances and other issues.
The City Council works closely with the mayor to make sure that decisions are made in the best interest of all Woodward residents. This includes ensuring that services such as police protection, fire protection, road maintenance and sanitation are adequately funded while also setting aside funds for economic development initiatives such as business incentives, workforce training programs and infrastructure improvements.
In addition to these services, Woodward also has several committees which have been established to provide input on various topics including parks & recreation, public safety & health, economic development and education & culture. These committees meet regularly throughout the year to discuss issues pertaining to their respective areas and advise the City Council on potential solutions.
Woodward’s government works hard to ensure that all residents have access to quality services while also promoting economic growth within the community. The city remains committed to providing its citizens with an excellent quality of life through responsible fiscal management and efficient use of resources.