Geographic Center of Iowa: Hamilton County, Near Blairsburg

The geographic center of Iowa is located in Hamilton County, approximately 5 miles northeast of Blairsburg (population ~180).

Precise Coordinates

• Latitude: 42°22′N (42.3667°)
• Longitude: 93°45′W (−93.75°)
• Township: Blairsburg Township, Section 16

Context & Verification

• Determined by USGS (geographic center of state's land area).
• Not to be confused with population center (near Melbourne, Marshall County) or geometric median.
• Iowa's dimensions: ~310 mi E-W × 200 mi N-S; center naturally in central county.

Visiting the Spot

• No official monument – it's on private farmland (corn/soybean rotation).
• Nearest public road: 290th St (E-W) or Oliver Ave (N-S) – gravel county roads.
• Blairsburg amenities: Casey's General Store, post office, grain elevator.
• Nearby: Boone (15 mi SW, Kate Shelley Bridge), Ames (25 mi S, Iowa State Univ).

Fun Fact

Iowa's geographic center is remarkably close to the intersection of US-20 & US-69 – the "crossroads of Iowa" – though the exact point is 3 miles north.