Manson, IA

Located in Calhoun County, Manson is a quiet small town with a unique claim to fame: it sits directly above a massive, 74-million-year-old meteorite impact site. Because the crater is buried hundreds of feet underground, the landscape looks like classic rolling countryside, though the geology gives the area naturally soft tap water and plenty of local pride. The town originally took off as a railroad stop in the 1870s, quickly growing into a steady hub for the surrounding farming community.

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Manson is known for a resilient, close-knit spirit, especially after neighbors rallied together to rebuild the community following a major tornado in 1979. Today, local life revolves around the Manson-Northwest Webster schools, community parks, and a relaxed, neighborly pace. With expansive farmland all around and Fort Dodge just a short drive away, Manson offers an affordable, welcoming place to settle down in north-central Iowa.