About Curlew
Set in the northwestern part of Iowa, Curlew is a tiny community counting 38 people who proudly call it home.
Officially, Curlew is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 0.75 square miles, giving it wide-open spaces and a spread-out, rural feel at roughly 51 residents per square mile.
📰 Curlew News Today
- Carol Jean Seagren hamiltonsfuneralhome.com · Jun 30
- Eileen Rouse of Curlew | 2026 | Obituary - Martin-Mattice Funeral Home Martin-Mattice Funeral Home · Jun 17
- Five Arrested in Palo Alto County Drug Raids northwestiowanow.com · Oct 31
- Beulah M. Pingel Obituary Nov 7, 2025 Eldridge Family Funeral Homes · Nov 7
- Nellie McIlhatton ArcGIS StoryMaps · Sep 30
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Curlew Unique
- With 38 residents, it's one of America's smallest incorporated communities — everybody really does know everybody.
- Positioned in northwestern Iowa, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
- Part of the fabric of Iowa — one of 1,026 recognized communities statewide.
Why People Love It Here
- A tight community feel that bigger cities can't replicate.
- Housing dollars stretch further here than in the nearest metro.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 10 miles.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateIowa
TypeCity
Population (2024)38
Rank in state#912 of 940
Land area0.75 sq mi
Density51/sq mi
Coordinates42.9797, -94.7378