Humboldt, Iowa
Humboldt is a city of 4,771 people in Humboldt County, Iowa, founded in 1863.
Why visit Humboldt
Townapedia lists 7 museums and landmarks, 21 parks and trails, 3 places to eat, 1 place to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Berkhimer Bridge, Humota Theatre, Humboldt Public Library and Corydon Brown House.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 81°F; January lows average 8°F.
Weather in Humboldt
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Humboldt
Humboldt is a city in Humboldt County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,792 at the time of the 2020 census, gaining 102 people over the 2010 total.
From the Wikipedia article Humboldt, Iowa (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Berkhimer Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Museums and landmarks7
Humboldt Public Library
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Public library in Humboldt, Iowa, United States
Corydon Brown House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
Historic house in Iowa, United States
Des Moines River Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Place in Iowa listed on National Register of Historic Places
Humboldt County Courthouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi
Courthouse in Iowa, United States
.jpg){kind=link}
Stephen Harris Taft House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
House in Humboldt, Iowa, United States
Parks, trails and playgrounds21
9 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes3
Subway
Fast food · Sandwich · 0.6 mi
1202 10th Avenue North, Humboldt
Mo-Sa 08:00-22:00; Su 08:00-20:00
History
Frank A. Gotch Park (just south of present-day Humboldt and Dakota City) was the location of prehistoric and some Dakota Indian villages, near where the two forks of the Des Moines River meet. During westward expansion in the 1800s, this area is thought to have been the location of a fort/trading post called Fort Confederation. According to federal records, in 1825, permission was granted to build the fort to trade with the Ihanktonwan Dakota (Yankton Sioux) Indians. Information about the exact details of the fort are unclear, such as if American, French Canadian, or Metis traders built it, bringing up many questions about this fort.
The founder of modern Humboldt, Stephen Harris Taft, laid out the plans for Springvale, the original name of the town, in 1863. It was named Springvale because of the several natural springs found near the Des Moines River. Taft had very big plans for the community, and expected many intellectuals from the East to move to his new community.
The town shall be founded upon a saw mill and grist mill on the Des Moines River
The town shall have the moral fortitude of a solid church and good schools, and that it shall become a town of thinkers and beauty.
The town shall grow with a college of university importance, and have a church that will not dissent into factions.
From the History section of Humboldt, Iowa on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay1
Churches and places of worship8
Oak Hill Church
Church · Evangelical · 0.8 mi
905 13th Street Southwest, Humboldt
Shopping2
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries10
Healthcare2
Map of Humboldt
58 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24°F | 8°F | 0.9 in |
| Feb | 29°F | 12°F | 1.0 in |
| Mar | 43°F | 25°F | 2.0 in |
| Apr | 57°F | 36°F | 3.3 in |
| May | 68°F | 49°F | 4.8 in |
| Jun | 78°F | 59°F | 5.5 in |
| Jul | 81°F | 63°F | 4.2 in |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 4.5 in |
| Sep | 72°F | 51°F | 3.3 in |
| Oct | 60°F | 39°F | 2.5 in |
| Nov | 43°F | 26°F | 1.6 in |
| Dec | 30°F | 15°F | 1.3 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Humboldt Wtp (0 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Humboldt County has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2024-06-24: Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes (Severe Storm)
- 2024-05-24: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2022-02-23: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes (Severe Storm)
- 2020-03-23: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2019-03-23: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Humboldt Municipal Airport (HUD) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 1 miles away.
- Fort Dodge 15 mi south, about 24 min by car
- Manson 21 mi southwest, about 34 min by car
- Pocahontas 22 mi west, about 36 min by car
- Algona 24 mi north, about 39 min by car
- Clarion 25 mi east, about 40 min by car
- Belmond 32 mi east, about 52 min by car
- Emmetsburg 36 mi northwest, about 57 min by car
- Garner 41 mi northeast, about 1 h by car
- Lake City 41 mi southwest, about 1 h by car
- Boone 50 mi south, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Humboldt iowa, Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- West Fork Des Moines River at US 169 in Humboldt, IA, Brandonrush, CC0
- Pedestrian bridge looking west in Humboldt, IA, Brandonrush, CC0
- Pedestrian bridge looking east in Humboldt, IA, Brandonrush, CC0
- Cottonwood Trail along West Fork Des Moines River in Humboldt, IA, Brandonrush, CC0
- Humboldt Municipal Building, No machine-readable author provided. Brandonrush assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain
- Humboldt, Iowa marshland, Brandonrush, Public domain
- Humboldt Public Library, Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Humboldt County Courthouse (Dakota City, IA), Brandonrush, Public domain
- Berkhimer Bridge, Brandonrush, Public domain
- Stephen Harris Taft House, Brandonrush, Public domain
- Corydon Brown House, Brandonrush, Public domain
- West Fork Des Moines River and Reasoner Dam, Brandonrush, CC0
- ISS030-E-110126 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS045-E-435 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS045-E-437 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS045-E-436 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.