West Branch is a small town about 11 miles from City. The commute is a direct one on Interstate 80 or the Herbert Hoover Highway. While close to the Iowa City/Coralville metro, an important note for home buyers is that West Branch is in Cedar County, which has lower property taxes than neighboring Johnson County. Keep more of your money in your pocket!

West Branch is the birthplace of the only US president ever born in Iowa, Herbert Hoover, and is now home to the Herbert Hoover Historic Site. Learn more about the national site, museum and library here.

In 2006 West Branch received its designation as a Main Street Iowa community. The Main Street Iowa program works with a select group of communities committed to exceptionally high standards for downtown economic development. With a focus on preservation-based economic development and traditional commercial district revitalization Main Street communities strive to work together on a common-sense, strategy-driven framework that guides community-based downtown revitalization efforts. Evidence of success is apparent in downtown West Branch.  With its location right off the interstate, West Branch is home to several companies, including Altorfer, Inc. and Procter and Gamble Distribution. West Branch has many opportunities for economic development, from small business to large corporations.

There is a variety of options for housing in West Branch, including new residential development of single family homes, zero lots and condos occurring on the west side of town. The city of West Branch encourages residential growth through its building incentive program which provides discounted building permits and free water and sewer hook-ups.  After the homeowner receives an occupancy permit, he or she is eligible to receive a 100% rebate on the City of West Branch portion of the homeowner’s tax bill.  The rebate is available for up to $5,000, or five years from the date of the occupancy permit, whichever comes first. Learn more about the program here.