Townapedia
Clear lake iowa
Clear lake iowa · Bill Whittaker ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Rogers Hotel Clear Lake, Iowa
Rogers Hotel Clear Lake, Iowa · Tropicalgangsta, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Clear Lake, Iowa banner · David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, Iowa (2015)
Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, Iowa (2015) · David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
Surf Ballroom Feb 1988
Surf Ballroom Feb 1988 · ← Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots →, Public domain
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Jeep J-10 pickup truck grey-fr · CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights..., Public domain

Clear Lake, Iowa

Clear Lake is a city of 7,607 people in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa.

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Population7,607 +0.1% since 2019
CountyCerro Gordo County
Elevation1,237 ft 377 m
Land area10.8 sq mi
ZIP code50428
Nearest airportMason City Municipal Airport (MCW) 2 mi

Why visit Clear Lake

Townapedia lists 9 museums and landmarks, 32 parks and trails, 19 places to eat, 8 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.

Highlights include Lake Theatre, Elks-Rogers Hotel, John L. Etzel House and McIntosh Woods State Park.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 7°F, and about 44 inches of snow fall in a normal year.

About Clear Lake

Clear Lake is a city in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,687 at the 2020 census. The city is named for the large natural lake on which it is located. Clear Lake is known for its rock and roll heritage, water sports, nearby state parks, and as a sailing destination.

From the Wikipedia article Clear Lake, Iowa (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do3

Lake Theatre

Cinema and theater · 0.4 mi

4 North 4th Street, Clear Lake

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Clear Lake Bandshell

Cinema and theater · 0.5 mi

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Surf Ballroom and Museum

Cinema and theater · 0.9 mi

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Museums and landmarks9

Elks-Rogers Hotel

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi

Hotel in Iowa, United States of America

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John L. Etzel House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi

Building in Iowa, United States

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Rogers-Knutson House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi

Building in Iowa, United States

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Surf BallroomPublic domain

Surf Ballroom

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi

American ballroom noted for being the place of the final performances of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper on February 2, 1959

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Clear Lake Fire Museum

Museum · 0.4 mi

Sa,Su 10:00-16:00

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Kinney Pioneer Museum

Museum · 2.1 mi

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National Register of Historic Places

Monument and historic site · 0.9 mi

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Three Stars Monument

Monument and historic site · 0.9 mi

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World Trade Center Steel Memorial

Monument and historic site · 0.4 mi

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Parks, trails and playgrounds32

McIntosh Woods State Park

Park · 4.0 mi

Park in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States of America

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Iowa Trolley Park

Park · 1.4 mi

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Pine Tree Park

Park · 1.6 mi

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Tourist Park

Park · 1.0 mi

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All Vets Golf Course

Golf course · 2.2 mi

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Armour Pugh Memorial Park

Park · 2.5 mi

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Central Gardens of North Iowa

Park · 0.4 mi

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City Beach

Beach · 0.5 mi

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City Beach Park

Playground · 0.5 mi

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City Park

Park · 0.5 mi

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Clear Lake Municipal Tennis Courts

Park · 0.6 mi

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Clear Lake Outlet

Hiking and trails · 0.7 mi

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20 more on the map.

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Restaurants and cafes19

The Half Moon Inn

Restaurant · American, Fish, Fish And Chips, Seafood · 0.9 mi

701 Buddy Holly Place

Tu-Sa 17:00-24:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 641-357-9339

The Boulevard Bar & Grill

Restaurant · Burger, Fish, Fish And Chips, Sandwich · 1.3 mi

1311 Bayou Road

Mo-Su 11:00-22:00

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Gyro Place

Restaurant · Greek, Mexican · 0.4 mi

300 Main Avenue

Mo 11:00-15:00; Tu-Th 11:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-20:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 641-357-2525

The Surfside

Restaurant · 0.8 mi

444 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake

Open in Google Maps · +1-641-357-0444

Bennigans

Diner · American · 0.8 mi

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Cabin Coffee

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 0.4 mi

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El Loro

Restaurant · Mexican · 1.1 mi

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Perkins

Diner · American · 1.1 mi

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Rookies Rockin' Sports Bar

Bar and pub · 0.4 mi

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Rumorz Bar & Grill

Bar and pub · 0.7 mi

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Sevens Restaurant and Steakhouse

Restaurant · 0.4 mi

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TAP'd

Bar and pub · 0.4 mi

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7 more on the map.

History

The region around the lake that would later be called Clear Lake was a summer home to the Dakota and Winnebago American Indians. During a land survey of northern Iowa done in 1832 by Nathan Boone, the son of explorer Daniel Boone, a map was made showing the lake and other bodies of water in the area.

In 1851, Joseph Hewitt and James Dickirson brought their families to camp on the east side of Clear Lake, soon building a cabin, and began a friendship with the Winnebago natives. By 1853, many more white settlers had also came to settle in the area. By the year 1855, the first Clear Lake school was built as well as the first steam saw mill. In that year a hotel was built by James Crow.

By 1870, the town had 775 residents and by 1871 the streets were graded and sidewalks were made of raised boards, sure signs of a thriving new city. The city of Clear Lake was incorporated on May 26, 1871. The first bandstand in Clear Lake was built in 1877 at the City Park. The town continued to grow and built its first library in 1889. In 1909, Bayside Amusement park opened for the first time. The first North Iowa Band Festival was organized by John Kopecky, among others, in 1932.

From the History section of Clear Lake, Iowa on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay8

Churches and places of worship12

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Shopping3

Gas and EV charging5

Schools, colleges and libraries5

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Healthcare1

Map of Clear Lake

97 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

0°20°40°60°80°January: 0.9 in of rainFebruary: 1.2 in of rainMarch: 2.3 in of rainApril: 4.2 in of rainMay: 5.2 in of rainJune: 5.4 in of rainJuly: 4.4 in of rainAugust: 3.8 in of rainSeptember: 3.5 in of rainOctober: 2.5 in of rainNovember: 1.7 in of rainDecember: 1.3 in of rainJanuary: 24°FFebruary: 28°FMarch: 42°FApril: 58°FMay: 70°FJune: 80°FJuly: 82°FAugust: 80°FSeptember: 74°FOctober: 60°FNovember: 44°FDecember: 30°FJanuary: 7°FFebruary: 11°FMarch: 24°FApril: 34°FMay: 47°FJune: 57°FJuly: 60°FAugust: 58°FSeptember: 49°FOctober: 37°FNovember: 24°FDecember: 14°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan24°F7°F0.9 in11.3 in
Feb28°F11°F1.2 in10.0 in
Mar42°F24°F2.3 in7.0 in
Apr58°F34°F4.2 in3.0 in
May70°F47°F5.2 in0.3 in
Jun80°F57°F5.4 in0.0 in
Jul82°F60°F4.4 in0.0 in
Aug80°F58°F3.8 in0.0 in
Sep74°F49°F3.5 in0.0 in
Oct60°F37°F2.5 in0.4 in
Nov44°F24°F1.7 in3.0 in
Dec30°F14°F1.3 in9.4 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Mason City Muni Ap (3 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$79,415median household income
$259,500median home value
$808median monthly rent
49.1median age
30.5%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
76.3%of homes are owner-occupied
18.6 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1817%18 to 3417%35 to 6439%65 and over27%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Cerro Gordo County has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.

  • 2020-03-23: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2018-08-20: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2016-10-31: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
  • 2008-05-27: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2005-09-10: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Mason City Municipal Airport (MCW) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 2 miles away.

  • Mason City 9 mi east, about 14 min by car
  • Belmond 23 mi southwest, about 37 min by car
  • Clarion 33 mi southwest, about 53 min by car
  • Greene 33 mi southeast, about 53 min by car
  • Albert Lea 36 mi north, about 58 min by car
  • Charles City 36 mi east, about 58 min by car
  • Austin 42 mi northeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
  • Algona 43 mi west, about 1 h 15 min by car
  • Nashua 44 mi east, about 1 h 15 min by car
  • Waverly 54 mi southeast, about 1 h 30 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.