Cresco is a city in Howard County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,888 at the 2020 census, down from 3,905 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Howard County.
History
thumb|Cresco airport
Cresco was platted in 1866, when the railroad was expanding into the area. "Cresco" is Latin for "I grow".
On October 20, 1980, The David Letterman Show was broadcast from Cresco, the winner of a competition to host the show.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of , all land.
thumb|center|[[Iowa Highway 9|IA-9 runs through town]]
Climate
Cresco experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with long, cold, snowy winters and very warm, humid summers.