Woodbury County, IA

A County Where Rural Strength Meets Metro Opportunity

Business Investment, Downtown Momentum, Public Safety Modernization, and Outdoor Amenities Position This County for Steady Growth

Woodbury County in the beautiful state of Iowa offers a combination that many communities work hard to achieve: the conveniences and economic activity of a modern metro center paired with the space, scenery, and identity of thriving rural towns. Anchored by Sioux City and surrounded by communities that continue to reinvest in Main Street vitality, Woodbury County has become a place where agriculture, industry, and emerging technology coexist—supported by a growing menu of amenities that strengthen quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

For Dan Bittinger, Chairman of the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, the county’s unique value lies in the blend. “We have a modern metropolitan city in Sioux City, but we also have thriving rural towns,” he says. “That city-and-rural mix, combined with ag preservation and the beauty of the Loess Hills along the Missouri River, makes Woodbury County a unique place to live and invest.”

Vice Chairman Mark Nelson echoes that view, emphasizing the county’s ability to offer residents choice. Whether someone wants an urban lifestyle, a small-town environment, or a quiet acreage with scenic views and wildlife, Woodbury County’s geography and community structure allow multiple versions of the “good life” to exist within the same county borders.

Downtown Revitalization and Main Street Reinvestment

Across the county, downtown activity is being strengthened through reinvestment, local entrepreneurship, and events that bring people back to Main Streets. In Sioux City, historic Fourth Street has become a focal point for revitalization, attracting new business activity, new housing, and renewed interest in the downtown core. The riverfront is also playing a growing role, reinforcing a broader national trend: downtowns work best when they become places to gather, not just places to pass through.

Smaller communities are seeing similar momentum. Towns such as Moville and Anthon have placed renewed emphasis on Main Street improvements, business recruitment, and community events that draw residents and visitors into town centers. Nelson points to programs like Anthon’s “Made and Found Market,” a wildly popular small-business showcase that continues to grow each year. Other rural communities participate in events such as the “Rural Route Ramble,” a multi-town shopping and community weekend designed to encourage visitors to hop town-to-town, patronize local businesses, and experience rural Woodbury County.

The result is a county-wide pattern: downtowns are returning to their role as social and economic anchors.

Major Investment in Agricultural and Industrial Growth

Woodbury County’s economy is underpinned by agriculture and production, but recent years have also brought significant private sector investment that reflects long-term confidence in the region. Bittinger notes that over the last decade, multiple major companies have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into Sioux City and the surrounding area, strengthening both the tax base and the long-term employment outlook.

Among the notable investments referenced in county discussions are CF Industries, Ag Processing Inc. (AGP), and Seaboard Triumph Foods. AGP’s recent capital improvements in Sergeant Bluff alone represent more than $200 million, underscoring the scale of reinvestment occurring in the county’s agricultural processing sector.

County leadership emphasizes that these investments do more than create jobs. They stabilize families, strengthen local spending, and support the broader ecosystem of small businesses and service providers that depend on strong wages and consistent employment.

Just as importantly, county leadership views business attraction as a collaborative effort. Woodbury County works closely with partners such as the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce to reduce friction, identify incentive opportunities, and help businesses navigate the process as efficiently as possible. When the government can reduce red tape and make projects more achievable, leaders say, the benefits extend directly to residents.

Infrastructure Realities: Power as the Next Constraint

If Woodbury County has a limiting factor, leadership is candid about what it is: power.

As business demand grows—especially as information technology and energy-intensive operations expand—county leaders see electricity and long-term energy strategy as one of the most important infrastructure conversations ahead. The county benefits from existing energy assets such as the Port Neal power plant, but both Bittinger and Nelson acknowledge that shifting political and regulatory climates could influence the long-term viability of coal as a dominant energy source.

For that reason, the county has begun early exploration of modular nuclear technology as a potential long-term strategy to secure reliable power, create future jobs, and maintain competitiveness for business recruitment. While county leaders cannot dictate energy markets, they are working to ensure Woodbury County is prepared, informed, and positioned to advocate for solutions that support long-term growth.

Housing: Availability with a Growing Need for Starter Options

Unlike some parts of North America facing extreme housing shortages, Woodbury County is not currently experiencing a severe lack of available housing inventory overall. However, leadership notes a growing need for more entry-level and starter home options—homes suited for young families and first-time buyers who do not need large footprints or high-end features.

At the same time, the county is seeing a rise in smaller rural acreage development, as residents and newcomers seek space and privacy without moving too far from amenities. This is part of a broader post-pandemic trend: people want room to breathe, but still want quick access to city services, entertainment, and employment.

In Sioux City itself, new apartment construction has accelerated, and leaders note that multi-family supply is filling quickly—an indicator that young professionals and new residents are choosing to stay and settle locally.

Across the rural towns, new subdivisions are also appearing. Communities like Moville and Correctionville have been expanding housing inventory through new neighborhood development, and the county’s population growth in the most recent census reinforces the narrative that Woodbury County is attracting residents rather than losing them.

Public Safety: A Modern Law Enforcement Center

A defining recent investment is the opening of Woodbury County’s new law enforcement center—a project framed not only as a facility upgrade, but as a statement of values. Bittinger describes the center as a commitment to safety, justice, and operational efficiency.

The new facility brings key functions together, including the sheriff’s department, county attorney, courts, and detention operations, creating a more cohesive system with modern security design, improved technology, and safer working conditions for staff. County leadership notes that most individuals in detention are in a pre-trial stage, reinforcing the importance of fair treatment and safety for all involved.

Community response to the project has been strong, and leaders believe it reinforces confidence in public safety and local governance.

Parks, Recreation, and the Rise of Outdoor Tourism

Woodbury County’s quality-of-life strengths extend well beyond jobs and housing. Outdoor amenities, parks, and riverfront development are becoming central to resident satisfaction and tourism growth.

One of the most significant regional recreational projects is the completion of the bike trail connecting Sioux City to Le Mars, a corridor spanning roughly 30 miles along Highway 75. The trail links into Sioux City’s broader trail network and supports a growing cycling culture that has become an increasingly visible part of regional lifestyle.

Another major addition is the Siouxland Splash water park, a roughly 10-acre facility representing more than a $10 million investment. While Sioux City already has splash pads in local parks, this project represents a true destination attraction designed to bring summer visitors into the region and provide residents with a larger-scale recreational amenity.

The riverfront has also seen meaningful reinvestment through the redesign of Chris Larsen Park. The park now includes dog park space, outdoor courts, modern play areas, fitness equipment, walking trails, pavilions, gardens, and river overlooks that extend out toward the Missouri River—creating a true public gathering space that supports both recreation and community identity.

County leadership also points to the strength of the county park system, including one of Iowa’s leading nature centers and multiple county parks consistently recognized as top-tier across the state. For visitors, the appeal is clear: camp in a rural park, drive into Sioux City for a museum exhibit or expo event, and experience the region’s rural-and-urban blend in a single trip.

Culture, Heritage, and Events That Draw Visitors

Woodbury County’s cultural footprint is broad. Sioux City’s Public Museum continues to attract visitors through traveling exhibits and public programming, while the Expo Center hosts everything from home and outdoor shows to sports and livestock events that reflect the county’s agricultural identity.

The Woodbury County Fair, held in Moville, is among Iowa’s largest and reflects a strong agricultural base across the county. The fairgrounds also host the Iowa School Rodeo Finals, drawing participants and families from across the state and beyond.

Historical tourism adds another layer. As a river town with deep roots, Sioux City remains closely tied to Native American history and early American westward expansion. Lewis and Clark’s journey through the region, the Sergeant Floyd monument, and the broader Siouxland historical story continue to attract history-minded visitors and reinforce the county’s sense of place.

Tourism growth is also being encouraged through a regional branding effort called Explore Siouxland, supported by the Sioux City Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau. With major highways running through the county and increased travel activity post-pandemic, leaders report steady growth in out-of-state visitors and increased participation in festivals, markets, and outdoor recreation.

Looking Ahead: Resources, Families, and Rural Vitality

Asked about priorities over the next two years, county leadership returned to three themes: ensuring basic resources for business growth, attracting and retaining families, and supporting rural communities.

Power and infrastructure capacity remain at the top of the list, not simply for current needs, but to ensure Woodbury County can welcome new investment without constraints. The county also sees families—especially young families with children—as essential to long-term vitality. Families fill schools, support churches and civic life, participate in parks and events, and bring stability to communities.

As part of that family-focused strategy, county leaders are also supporting practical solutions such as childcare expansion in rural communities—recognizing that workforce participation and family relocation decisions increasingly hinge on childcare availability.

Finally, rural towns remain central to the county’s identity and future. Supporting those communities through pro-business policy, infrastructure alignment, and local partnership is a priority leadership views as inseparable from county success.

Woodbury County’s strength is that it does not ask residents to choose between rural and urban, between opportunity and peace, between nature and amenities. It offers all of them—steadily building a future where businesses can grow, families can settle, and communities can thrive.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Woodbury County, IA

What: A bustling county welcoming housing, business and civic infrastructure additions as it looks to grow in 2026

Where: Western Iowa, USA

Website: www.woodburycountyiowa.gov