West Branch
Meet your neighbors in our West Branch community!
History
We’ve proudly served the community of West Branch since 1984
West Branch, Iowa, is a city located in Cedar and Johnson counties, with a population of 2,509 as of the 2020 census. Situated approximately 10 miles east of Iowa City and 40 miles west of Davenport, the city has seen recent housing and population growth.
Established in 1869 and incorporated in 1875, West Branch was initially settled by Quakers from Ohio. The city’s name originates from the West Branch Quaker meeting place and its location on the west branch of the Wapsinonoc Creek. Notably, West Branch was a stop on the Underground Railroad, with abolitionist John Brown having stayed in the area during his efforts to assist escaped slaves.

The city is renowned as the birthplace of Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States. The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site preserves several landmarks, including his birthplace cottage, a blacksmith shop, and the gravesites of President Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover. Adjacent to the historic site, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum houses his presidential papers and memorabilia.
West Branch’s economy benefits from its inclusion in the Main Street Iowa program since 2006, promoting downtown economic development through historic preservation. The city’s industrial park hosts a major distribution center and several bustling businesses. Additionally, the West Branch Community School District operates local public schools, serving approximately 800 students across three schools: Hoover Elementary, West Branch Middle School, and West Branch High School.
Out in the community







Meet some of the People You’ll Know
True stories from our communities
At Liberty Communications, we love hearing how people use our services, which is why we created a video series highlighting true stories of community members who live in the areas we serve.
You can see some of the videos below, and the full collection in our community hub.