Greetings from the Greater Cedar Rapids area! The people of the Cedar Rapids area are some of the friendliest and most helpful people you will meet. Perhaps that is because they enjoy security, possibilities and a sense of belonging. Here, we call ourselves the City of Five Seasons. The fifth season is a time to enjoy life, to enjoy the other four seasons.
We have worked hard to achieve a lifestyle that is coveted by other parts of the nation. Here we combine commerce, leisure, culture and education to offer fulfillment for all people, even those with sophisticated tastes.
Cedar Rapids has been named in national magazines and ranked among elite cities in a variety of categories. Cedar Rapids has placed among the top 20 Forbes Magazine Best Places and was named the number 2 kid-friendly city in the country by an organization looking at factors such as education, crime, arts and culture.
Cedar Rapids is the state’s second largest city and it is also the manufacturing capitol of Iowa. Cedar Rapids has a population of more than 120,000 residents located in Linn County. Including the surrounding communities the population in Linn County is more than 190,000 residents. The 2000 Census indicates that this area is one of the strongest growth areas in Iowa.
This is a regional hub for Eastern Iowa because of its proximity to several of the country’s largest metropolitan areas and major interstate highways. We have access to cities like St. Louis, Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Omaha, and Milwaukee. You don’t need to leave the area because most of the necessities are found right here. Safe neighborhoods, great jobs, award winning schools, symphonies, sports, recreation, shopping, museums, and trails. Cedar Rapids is large enough to offer all the amenities of life without the hassles of metropolitan life to ensure a life filled with quality and enrichment.
Cedar Rapids is only one component of this story. The community atmosphere comes from all of Linn County, which Cedar Rapids is the county seat. The communities of Marion, Hiawatha, Robins and Mt. Vernon are only a heartbeat away and each compliments the other. Each has a rich history and quaintness that residents find second-to none.
In Marion, you will enjoy a small town atmosphere with the benefits of the city next door. Marion is the place to be for live music in the park while enjoying summer breezes. From the annual Marion Arts Festival in May to the proposed Arts and Environment Center at the newly established Lowe Park, Marion has a lot to offer lovers of the arts. Take in an outdoor concert or play comprised of our wonderful residents. With two museums packed full of the past and historical properties sprinkled throughout the community, Marion has something to offer history buffs. And if you’re looking for activities everyone can enjoy, you’ll want to get outside and see some of the scenery from biking on area trails or taking advantage of the youth recreation activities. If golf is your game, Marion proper is home to one private golf course, two public golf courses and two driving ranges that feature just enough challenge to keep you on your toes.
Hiawatha , just north of Cedar Rapids, has grown from a sleepy bedroom community into a bustling residential and commercial area. Mt. Vernon, to the east, has a flavor all its own. Mt. Vernon is home to Cornell College and its streets are lined with beautiful Victorian homes, all just 20 minutes from Cedar Rapids.
Many other small communities surround Greater Cedar Rapids. People who have lived here for years and those new to the area find we do have something for everyone. Commuting is measured in minutes here.
From our rich cultural heritage to our diverse leisure activities, Cedar Rapids is a great place to raise a family. We value our quality education system and it has been a priority for us. We have among the highest educational standards in the country and an educational system that guarantees these standards are met for all students. Our neighborhoods are safe and provide the necessary social interaction we all need to feel a part of the community.
Looking for things to do? We keep busy after working hard all week. Shopping and entertainment venues are abundant. Theater and culture are deep-rooted in our history and expectations. We have preserved our grand Paramount Theater and reinvented the riverfront of Cedar River. Fascinating exhibits are on display at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library, the Carl & Mary Koehler History Center, the African American Museum and Cultural Center and the Brucemore Mansion. Breathtaking performances can be heard at the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre and the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, which has been performing since 1921. We also enjoy the state of the art IMAX Theater and exciting new stadium for the Cedar Rapids Kernels Professional Baseball Club plus a new hockey arena where the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Hockey Club play. Everyone marks their calendar for the 11-day Freedom Festival starting at the end of June, as well. This just touches on the many activities you can enjoy.
Business and trade flourish in the Cedar Rapids area. With its diverse industry providing a base for thousands of business opportunites and insulation from tough economic times, the Cedar Rapids area offers a low cost of living and plentiful jobs. Combine a strong work ethic with high paying jobs and you have a community you’ll want to call home.
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UTILITY SERVICES FOR THE CEDAR RAPIDS METRO AREA
TELEPHONE SERVICE
Qwest ..........800-244-1111
McLeod USA ..........319-298-6484
MCI/World Com ..........800-950-5555
LONG DISTANCE SERVICE
AT & T ..........800-222-0300
McLeoad USA ..........319-364-0000
MCI/World Com ..........800-950-5555
CABLE TV
Qwest ..........800-244-1111
Mediacom ..........319-395-7801
ELECTRICAL COMPANIES
Alliant Energy ..........319-398-4406
or Toll Free ...........800-822-4348
Linn County REC ...........319-377-1587
GAS COMPANY
Mid American Energy Company ..........888-427-5632
Peoples Natural Gas/Energy One .......800-303-4647
AmeriGas ..........319-365-4647
Linn Co-op ..........319-377-4881
WATER
Marion ..........319-377-4839
Hiawatha ..........319-393-5556
Cedar Rapids Municipal ..........319-286-5910
CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS' SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING MANAGEMENT
1206 6th Street SW, Cedar Rapids .....319-286-5897
(Garbage, yard waste & curbside recycling pickups & drop-off recycling).
BLUE STEM SOLID WASTE AGENCY
1954 County Home Rd, Marion ..........319-377-5290
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
