Solon has changed dramatically since the mid-1990s when the population hovered around 1,000 residents. Today, the community continues to grow at a steady pace and has tripled its population.

Families are moving in, new housing is going up, and the Solon School District is welcoming dozens of new students each year. Even with this growth, local leaders say Solon has held onto the welcoming atmosphere and deep-rooted pride that have long defined the town.

Recent population data support the story local leaders describe. According to the city of Solon, the 2010 census recorded 2,037 residents, which represented a 73% increase since 2000. That trend has continued. As of 2023, Solon’s estimated population reached 3,092, according to Data USA. The community has also become increasingly attractive to homeowners. About 80% of Solon households are owner-occupied, and the median home value sits around $305,300. Solon also has a median household income of $111,597. This is significantly higher than Iowa’s average home value of $195,900, and the household median income of $73,147.

A community people choose on purpose

For many residents, Solon offers exactly what they are looking for. Solon Mayor Dan O’Neil, who moved to the community 12 years ago, said Solon stood out immediately when he was searching for a home somewhere between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

“It just felt like a great fit,” O’Neil said. He described Solon as having “small-town charm” and said that even as the town has changed, its sense of belonging remains the same.

O’Neil said he was drawn to Solon’s welcoming environment.

“It was a very welcoming town,” he said. “There was a lot of potential.”

He noticed early on how quickly people took pride in the community, something he sees even more clearly today.

“You have folks originally from Solon, and then the newcomers really taking on that sense of pride,” O’Neil said. “You see it at concerts, sporting events, and everything in between. It is really cool.”

Urban Acres Realtor Molly Kilburg, a Solon resident of nearly 12 years, sees that same enthusiasm daily in her work. She said the most common reason people give for wanting to move to Solon is the community atmosphere and the strength of the schools.

“There is a real small-town feel here where everybody knows each other,” Kilburg said. “Everybody loves the schools. Everybody loves the people.”

Kilburg works with a steady mix of longtime residents and new families moving in. She said about half of her clients are new to Solon, and the other half already live within the district and want to stay.

“Families move within Solon because they want to remain part of the community,” she said.

A housing market that reflects high demand

Kilburg said Solon’s housing market is shaped by a combination of demand, location, and the town’s historical layout.

“There are so many desirable things drawing people here,” she said. “The demand is strong because the location is so easy, the schools are wonderful, and the small-town feel is very real.”

One challenge is that Solon has a limited supply of older or entry-level homes, she said.

“Solon had a very, very small original part of town,” Kilburg said. “Before the year 2000, Solon was what you would call the original Solon, and it was very small.”

With fewer older homes available, families often turn toward newer construction because existing homes are not coming onto the market as often as in neighboring cities.

Kilburg added that Solon has fewer high-density housing options than nearby communities.

“Solon has always kind of restricted or been hesitant to do anything above a two-story building,” she said. This means that compared to cities like North Liberty or Tiffin, Solon has fewer condos, zero-lots, and duplexes. “That product just is not here,” she said.

As a result, many buyers lean toward new construction. Kilburg estimates that nearly one-third of the homes she shows in Solon are new builds.

“There is just not a ton of existing homes,” she said.

Recent building-permit trends reinforce her perspective. Solon consistently approves between 20 and 36 single-family home permits each year. In 2020, Solon issued 36 single-family permits. The city approved 34 in 2022, 32 in 2024, and 22 in 2025.

Multi-unit construction is far less common. Some years include duplexes or multi-family units, while other years see very few. The 10-year average shows that Solon adds between 30 and 48 new units annually when combining all forms of housing. New subdivisions are essential to meeting demand. Kilburg pointed to Windmill Estates, Trail Ridge Estates, Marie Street, and other recent additions as signs of progress.

O’Neil said he appreciates that development is not concentrated in one area.

“There is a variety of where there are new options in town,” he said.

A city focused on planning ahead

Solon City Administrator Cami Rasmussen, who has lived in Solon since 1995, has witnessed the town’s growth firsthand. She said Solon’s rapid rise between 2000 and 2010 revealed an important truth about the town’s identity.

“Solon is your classic bedroom community,” Rasmussen said. “People live here and work somewhere else because our location is ideal.”

Rasmussen plays a key role in ensuring that growth happens responsibly. She manages building permits, reviews site plans, coordinates with developers, prepares legal documents, and enforces compliance with city codes and the comprehensive plan.

“It is important for residents to know there is a plan,” she said. “That matters no matter who is sitting in the city seats.”

One of the largest projects Solon is undertaking is the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility. Rasmussen said this upgrade is necessary both to replace the existing system and to prepare for future growth.

“This is a project we have been in for a few years,” she said. She views the facility as critical infrastructure that will support Solon for decades to come.

Rasmussen said Solon uses several planning tools to guide responsible development, including the future land use map, subdivision guidelines, and a (two-mile) fringe area agreement with Johnson County. These tools help the city evaluate new proposals, plan for infrastructure, and maintain the character of the community as development continues.

“We want responsible development,” she said. “That is always our goal.”

Schools that benefit from community support

Solon High School Principal Drew Bunkers, who moved to Solon in 2024, said the school district welcomed about 45 new students this year, including 11 at the high school.

“My family and I have nothing but great things to say about Solon as a community and the school district,” Bunkers said.

He said families often tell him that they are drawn to Solon because of the supportive school environment. Bunkers described a level of familiarity among staff and students that is difficult to find in larger districts.

“It is rare that you would be in the building, walk down the hall, and not have a number of adults who know who you are,” he said. “In a lot of bigger schools, it is really easy to just become a number.”

Solon’s academic approach also appeals to families.

“Solon is at the forefront of grading practices and career exploration,” Bunkers said. “They are doing things that a lot of districts wish they could be doing.”

He said the district has made it a priority to help students discover their interests and choose classes that support their future goals.

“When I got here, it was nice to see the focus on things that matter for students,” he said.

Solon’s position between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, its proximity to state parks, and a thriving school system have made it an ideal place to raise a family.

“Here in Solon, our location and the schools, and just having a community that is well taken care of,” Rasmussen said. “A lot of pride. As you drive through Solon, you see that people take a lot of pride in their property. The city takes a lot of pride in caring for the community. And all of those things come together to really make Solon a very, very, special place.”

Editor’s note: Aviva is a University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communications student in the Iowa Community News class.