About Panama
Set in the western part of Iowa, Panama is a tiny community, home to 234 residents as of the latest Census estimates.
Officially, Panama is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 0.29 square miles, giving it a balanced suburban layout with room to breathe at roughly 807 residents per square mile.
📰 Panama News Today
- NSWC Panama City Division, University of Iowa partner on research to better protect sailors navsea.navy.mil · Jun 2
- Kenneth "Narv" Schwery Obituary Nov 21, 2025 Fouts Funeral Home · Nov 21
- NPR went looking for Polymarket's Panama headquarters. It's elusive Iowa Public Radio · May 5
- Marietta Bernadine Bellingtier Obituary Mar 13, 2026 Laufersweiler Funeral Home & Cremation Services · Mar 13
- Drake University partners with Panama innovation hub for new degree programs Iowa Capital Dispatch · Oct 29
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Panama Unique
- One of 5 places in the US named Panama — but the Iowa one has a character all its own.
- One of the smallest municipal footprints in the country at just 0.29 sq mi.
- Positioned in western Iowa, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
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 6 miles.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Panama
- Norma Jean’s — american
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🎡 Fun Things to Do
- Washington Township One-Room Schoolhouse Museum · Museum
Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Panama
- Whispering Pines Park reviews ★
Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateIowa
TypeCity
Population (2024)234
Rank in state#630 of 940
Land area0.29 sq mi
Density807/sq mi
Coordinates41.7262, -95.4754