Cedar Rapids

by The Linguist

Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in the state of Iowa, located in the east-central part of the state. As of the 2020 census, the population of Cedar Rapids was 131,169 people. It is the core city of the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area which has a population of over 270,000 residents. Cedar Rapids is situated along the Cedar River and is known for its diverse economy and cultural attractions.

Population and Demographics

According to the 2020 census, Cedar Rapids had a population of 131,169 residents which makes it the second most populous city in Iowa behind Des Moines. The Cedar Rapids metropolitan area consists of Linn and several surrounding counties and has an estimated population of 270,527 people.

The racial makeup of Cedar Rapids is approximately 75.4% White, 11.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.6% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. 9.8% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The median age in Cedar Rapids is 34.8 years old. About 23.5% of the population is under the age of 18 while 13.5% is aged 65 and older.

Cedar Rapids is home to a prosperous economy and job market which draws new residents. The population grew 7.9% between 2010 and 2020 according to Census data. Top industries providing employment in the city include healthcare, manufacturing, education, and retail trade.

History and Economy

Cedar Rapids was founded in 1841 and incorporated as a city in 1856. The city was named for the rapids on the Cedar River which provided a source of power for early industry in the area. Throughout the late 1800s, Cedar Rapids became a hub for agricultural processing and milling.

Meatpacking plants, flour mills, cereal manufacturers like Quaker Oats, corn processing companies, agricultural equipment makers, and other grain-based industries drove the city’s early economy and development. Many of these sectors continue to maintain a strong presence in the city today.

Other important economic sectors include aerospace and defense, with Rockwell Collins as a leading employer. Insurance is also a core industry sector in Cedar Rapids.

Major Employers

Some of the largest employers in Cedar Rapids include:

Major corporations provide tens of thousands of jobs in industries like insurance, healthcare, defense contracting, aerospace engineering, food production, education, and retail distribution.

Attractions and Landmarks

Popular attractions and landmarks in Cedar Rapids include:

  • Paramount Theater – Historic theater downtown that hosts Broadway shows and concerts.
  • National Czech & Slovak Museum – Museum celebrating Czech and Slovak cultural history.
  • African American Museum of Iowa – Highlights African American achievements and experiences in Iowa.
  • Brucemore – Historic 26 acre estate that hosts cultural events.
  • Greene Square – Downtown park with farmer’s market and summer concerts.
  • Cedar Lake and Robins Lake – Popular recreation lakes for swimming, boating, and fishing.
  • Indian Creek Nature Center – Over 200 acres with trails and wildlife rehabilitation.
  • Grant Wood Studio – Home and studio of famous regional artist Grant Wood.
  • Czech Village and NewBo District – Neighborhoods with boutique shops, bars, and restaurants.

Cedar Rapids has a lively arts and culture scene. Many theaters, music venues, galleries, historic sites, parks, and museums offer plenty to do for visitors and residents.

Sports

Cedar Rapids is home to the Cedar Rapids Kernels, a Class A minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins baseball team. The Kernels play at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium downtown.

For hockey fans, the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the United States Hockey League. Their home ice is the ImOn Ice Arena.

A variety of colleges in the area also have sports teams that local fans enthusiastically support. Division III Coe College and Kirkwood Community College are located right in Cedar Rapids. The University of Iowa and Iowa State University also have many alumni in the city who follow Hawkeyes and Cyclones athletics.

Transportation

The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) provides flights to major hubs like Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and more. The airport handled over 1.4 million passengers in 2021.

Interstate 380 runs along the west and south sides of town and connects Cedar Rapids with Waterloo and Iowa City. Interstate 80 passes just south of the city’s outskirts. Other major highways include Highway 30, Highway 13, Highway 100 and Highway 151.

The Cedar Rapids Transit System provides local bus service in Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities. The Ground Transportation Center in downtown Cedar Rapids serves as a hub for local, regional, and intercity buses as well as taxis and airport shuttles.

Education

The Cedar Rapids Community School District serves most of the city with over 17,000 students in 24 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 4 high schools. Several other area districts serve outlying suburbs. Private schools in the city include Summit Schools, Isaac Newton Christian Academy, and Trinity Lutheran School.

For higher education, institutions include Kirkwood Community College, Mount Mercy University, and Coe College which are all located in Cedar Rapids. Nearby Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa which enrolls over 30,000 students.

Media

The major daily newspaper in Cedar Rapids is The Gazette which has a circulation of about 40,000. Other publications include the Cedar Rapids Business Journal and the free weekly Cityview.

Radio stations based in Cedar Rapids include news/talk KMJM 1360 AM, NPR affiliate KCCK 88.3 FM, and rock station KRNA 94.1 FM among others. Television stations include CBS affiliate KGAN channel 2, ABC affiliate KCRG channel 9, and FOX affiliate KFXA channel 28.

Facebook

You can find news and updates about Cedar Rapids on the city’s official Facebook page. With over 30,000 followers, it’s a great way to keep up with events, information, and announcements in Cedar Rapids.