Center Grove, Iowa, refers to two primary geographical locations within the state: a civil township in Dickinson County and a historically unincorporated community in Dubuque County.
Center Grove Township (Dickinson County)
Center Grove Township is an administrative division located in Dickinson County in northwestern Iowa. It is situated within the Iowa Great Lakes region, a prominent area for tourism and water-based recreation. The township encompasses significant portions of several incorporated cities, including Spirit Lake (the county seat), Arnolds Park, and Okoboji. Geographically, the township is defined by its inclusion of West Okoboji Lake and East Okoboji Lake. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township maintains a permanent residential population while experiencing significant seasonal fluctuations due to its status as a resort destination.
Center Grove (Dubuque County)
Center Grove is a historically unincorporated settlement located on the western edge of the city of Dubuque in Dubuque County. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the majority of the area originally known as Center Grove was annexed into the city limits of Dubuque. It serves as a major transportation node for the region, marking the junction of U.S. Route 20, U.S. Route 52, and U.S. Route 61. The name remains in local usage primarily to describe the commercial and residential district surrounding this highway interchange and the Center Grove Viaduct. Historically, the area served as a transitional settlement for westward travel from the Port of Dubuque.