Cherokee is located in central Cherokee County in northwest Iowa, about 50 miles northeast of Sioux City, Iowa. The City is located at the confluence of the Little Sioux River, Railroad Creek, and Goat Hill Creek. It is the largest city in Cherokee County, having a 1990 population of 7,896. Cherokee is a progressive community in a large agriculture area. The City has such facilities as a radio station, a local newspaper, medical and health care facilities including a hospital and mental health institute, educational and recreational facilities.
Industry includes manufacturing of agriculture farm products and meat packing companies.
Cherokee is served by US Highway 59, Iowa Highway 3, the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, and Cherokee Municipal Airport. Cherokee lies partially within the floodplain of the Little Sioux River, Railroad Creek, and Goat Hill Creek. Flooding from these streams can occur in Cherokee as a result of rapid snowmelt, heavy rainfall, or combinations thereof. Flooding along the streams in Cherokee normally occurs from February through September, although flooding could occur at any time during the year. Peak annual discharge generally occurs most frequently in March and June.