Nora Springs is a city that is partially in Cerro Gordo and Floyd counties in the U.S. state of Iowa, along the Shell Rock River.

[2] The Cerro Gordo County portion of Nora Springs is part of the Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Greeley agreed to buy and improve the gristmill, and to purchase 20 acres of land from Gaylord, if the town would change its name from Woodstock to Elnora, in honor of a former lady love from Vermont.

At its founding, the town's business district was located near the millpond and nearby gristmill, at the western end of present day Sixth Street NW.

Two competing railroads began laying track several blocks to the south; as a result, the downtown gradually moved nearer to the rail lines, and the former business district became known to locals as Old Town.

The millrace and dam still exist, and in recent years, the city has developed the area into a scenic park.

A footbridge over the Shell Rock River dam was constructed in 2019, Nora Springs is located at 43°8′38″N 93°0′32″W / 43.14389°N 93.00889°W / 43.14389; -93.00889 (43.144010, −93.008929).

28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The last week of June always marks Nora Springs Buffalo Days.

Festivities include a parade, entertainment at Boulder Park such as food vendors, and inflatable rides.

Meanwhile, all middle school students, grades 4-8, plus grades K-3 from the Nora Springs and Rock Falls area, plus those from the unincorporated community of Portland, attend school at the Nora Springs site.