Rathbun, Iowa

About Rathbun

Set in the southern part of Iowa, Rathbun is a tiny community counting 44 people who proudly call it home.

Officially, Rathbun is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 0.21 square miles, giving it wide-open spaces and a spread-out, rural feel at roughly 210 residents per square mile.

📰 Rathbun News Today

• Richard Rathbun Obituary Jan 10, 2026 Laufersweiler Funeral Home & Cremation Services · Jan 10
• Tribute Wall | David Paul Coffin Thomas Funeral Homes · Oct 21
• Honey Creek Resort Set to Reopen July 2 Under Embergrove Hospitality Group Management Hospitality Net · Jun 23
• TopSide Marinas Acquires Rathbun Lake Marina Marina Dock Age · May 7
• Plan approved for continued Lake Rathbun watershed protection Radio Iowa · Jan 28

Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.

What Makes Rathbun Unique

• The only place in America named Rathbun — a truly one-of-a-kind name among 32,000+ US communities.
• One of the smallest municipal footprints in the country at just 0.21 sq mi.
• With 44 residents, it's one of America's smallest incorporated communities — everybody really does know everybody.
• Positioned in southern 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 8 miles.

🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Rathbun

• Honey Creek State Park reviews ★
• Lake Rathbun Area · Nature reserve reviews ★
• Lake Rathbun Area - Buck Creek East reviews ★
• Lake Rathbun Area - Island View reviews ★
• Outlet Park reviews ★
• Prairie Ridge Park reviews ★
• Rathbun Wildlife Refuge Area · Nature reserve reviews ★

Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.

⚡ Quick Facts

🗺️ Map of Rathbun

🏘️ Nearby Communities