Sabula, IA

Sabula is Iowa’s only island city, sitting right in the Mississippi River with a population of around 500. It is a quiet, tight-knit community surrounded entirely by water, where boating, fishing, and waterfront views are part of everyday life. You reach the Iowa mainland by crossing causeways over the surrounding lakes, while a bridge links the town across the state line to Savanna, Illinois. With its local beach, boat harbor, and campground, it offers a peaceful waterfront setting within an easy drive of larger regional hubs.

ATTRFarragutful / CC BY-SA 4.0

Settled in the 1830s, the town took its unique name from the Latin word for sand. Sabula became a true island in the 1930s, when the construction of Mississippi River locks and dams raised water levels and formed the surrounding lakes. In its early days, the town thrived on a bustling pearl-button industry carved from river shells. Today, local families are served by the nearby Easton Valley School District, and residents enjoy a friendly, laid-back atmosphere surrounded by scenic river bluffs.