Area guide · Linn County, Iowa

Palo

A small town on the Cedar River northwest of Cedar Rapids, close to Pleasant Creek Lake and Morgan Creek Park, with new homes going up on its edges.

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1,407People, 2020 census
$282,400Median value of owner-occupied homes, Census estimate 2020-24
Cedar Rapids CSDThe whole town is in the Cedar Rapids Community School District
$33.25Consolidated property tax levy per $1,000 of taxable value, fiscal 2026-27
Drive times from central Palo
20 minDowntown Cedar RapidsAbout 13 miles
20 minCollins Aerospace campus, NE Cedar RapidsAbout 10 miles
55 minDowntown Iowa CityAbout 38 miles
25 minThe Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)About 16 miles

Typical times without traffic, from OpenStreetMap routing. Rush hour runs longer.

About Palo

River town, room to grow.

Palo got its post office in 1849, named for the Battle of Palo Alto, and its first building went up in 1854. The 2020 census counted 1,407 people and about 500 homes.

New construction is under way on the edges of town, including townhomes at Prairie Vista.

Around town
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area

Nearly 2,000 acres around Pleasant Creek Lake, with boat ramps, about 8 miles of trails, a campground and cabins.

Morgan Creek Park

A 352-acre Linn County park with 4+ miles of trails, an arboretum and an off-leash dog area.

Cedar River

The town sits along the river, which also shapes its flood history.

Duane Arnold Energy Center

A nuclear plant about 2 miles north of town, shut down in 2020. Its owner announced plans in 2025 to restart it, targeted for 2029.

Before you buy here
Check the flood map first.

In the June 2008 Cedar River flood, the whole town was ordered to evacuate. For any home in Palo, look up its FEMA flood zone and get a flood insurance quote before you make an offer.

I pull the flood zone and the current tax bill for every home we look at.

Palo homes and numbers
For salePalo listings

Every Palo home on the MLS right now, updated daily.

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Every Palo home sold in the last 6 months, with prices.

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Other areas I work
Cedar RapidsMarionHiawathaElyRobinsFairfaxLisbonMount VernonNorth Liberty

Sources: 2020 US Census; Census ACS 2020-24 via Census Reporter; Linn County Auditor, consolidated levy rates FY2026-27; Linn County Conservation; Wikipedia, "Palo, Iowa", "Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area" and "Duane Arnold Energy Center".

Thinking about Palo?

Buying, selling or investing, the first call is free. By phone, or over coffee somewhere in the Cedar Rapids area.

Book A Free CallCall (319) 304-5195