Dubuque Community Information
Dubuque, with a population of 57,313, is sometimes called the "Key City" because of its role in the development of the upper Midwest. It is located in Dubuque County, about 70 miles north of the Quad Cities on the western banks of the Mississippi River. The city prides itself on its sense of progressive, 'on-the-move' attitudes, blended with serene, natural beauty and historical, Victorian charm. Dubuque embraces its small-town warmth and friendliness and freedom from the hassles of traffic and commuting.
Brief History
The Dubuque area was part of the region explored by Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet in 1673. France initially laid claim to the area but ceded control to Spain in 1763. The first European-American settler of Dubuque was Julien Dubuque, who arrived here in 1785. In 1788, Dubuque began mining the area’s deposits of lead. The area was acquired by the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
Dubuque is the oldest city in Iowa, chartered in 1833 and incorporated in 1857. It became a center of the timber industry. Millworking, boat building, brewing, and the railroad industry all made major contributions to the economy. Industrial activity dominated the city until late in the 20th century. Since then tourism and high-technology businesses have taken the lead. Lock and Dam 11 is located just north of Dubuque on the Mississippi River.
The Community
Dubuque today is an active river community and serves as an industrial, commercial, cultural, and educational center for the area. It is also a major tourist destination where visitors can enjoy an in-door water park, Grand Harbor resort and Water Park, riverboat gambling at the Diamond Jo Casino, and the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium all at the Port of Dubuque. The Dubuque Museum of Art associated with the Smithsonian is located downtown. The historic Star Brewery Building also located in the Port of Dubuque will contain the new Ruhl&Ruhl office but also contains the Stone Cliff Winery and the savory Star Restaurant and Ultra Lounge.
Dubuque Schools
There are several different education options in the Dubuque area. From great preschools including, Holy Family Catholic Schools, Dubuque Montessori School, Noah's Ark Preschool, to graduate studies at one of the area’s universities such as, University of Dubuque, Clarke College, Wartburg College and Loras College. Check out Dubuque Community Schools to visit all public schooling options. If you are looking for private schooling, there are several different options available including, Dubuque Montessori School, Inc., Holy Family Catholic School.
Dubuque Medical Facilities
The Dubuque Tri-state region is fortunate to have numerous health care resources available for both emergency and non-emergency care. Two hospitals, Mercy Medical Center and The Finley Hospital, offer excellent round-the-clock care for patients and their families.
Additionally, there are three main physician’s groups: Medical Associates Clinic and Health Plans, Dubuque Internal Medicine and the Tri-State Independent Physician’s Association. They provide a broad range of primary care and surgical specialties.
Attractions and Entertainment
You can get around downtown on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. The Mississippi River offers river walks, boat rides, Lock and Dam 11, and the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. Dubuque and the surrounding area are rich with interesting attractions. The city includes many historic buildings, sites, and museums, including the National Farm and Toy Museum. The bluffs of Eagle Point Park feature eagle viewing during the winter. The Fenelon Place Elevator is another site seeing venture, elevating passengers 189 feet from Fourth Street to Fenelon Place where you can see a view of the historic downtown district, the Mississippi river and 3 states. Another historical landmark is The Grand Opera House of Dubuque, known for it's performances and educational tutorials throught the year. Sports enthusiasts can visit the nearby Field of Dreams in Dyersville. If you'd like to go skiing Summit Mountain is great, with Chestnut Mountain available in nearby Galena. Gaming enthusiasts can visit the Diamond Jo casino or Greyhound Park. In addition, the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are nearby.
Area Businesses
While Dubuque has long been a center of manufacturing, the economy has recently witnessed rapid growth and diversification in other areas such as technology and publishing. In 2006 Dubuque welcomed IBM a technological service delivery agency. Today, alongside industry, the city is host to a large health care facility, Mercy Hospital, one of less than 2% of hospitals in the country to be named a magnet hospital. Dubuque is also home to a leading publishing house, McGraw Hill, which is located right by Ruhl&Ruhl’s office in the Port of Dubuque, along with financial services such as Heartland and Edward Jones.
Median statistical information
Median Age: 36.9 years
Median Household Income: $42,200
Median House/Condo Value: $117,500
Real Estate Tax Rate: 1.4%
Foreign-born Population: 2.5%
Cost of Living Index: 81.6 (U.S. Average = 100)
Getting To and From
Highways:
US-20 east/west
US-52 northwest/southeast
US-61 north/south
US-151 northeast/southwest
Air Travel:
Commercial Air & General Aviation
Dubuque Regional Airport
Further Information
Check out these additional links for more information on Dubuque.
Chamber of Commerce
City of Dubuque
Dubuque Community Calendar
Dubuque 365
Access Dubuque
Dubuque Area Business Directory
25 Things to Know about Dubuque
