The Heritage At Northern Hills
Assisted Living, Independent Living & Respite Care · Sioux City, IA

The Heritage At Northern Hills

Assisted Living, Independent Living & Respite Care · Sioux City, IA

Overview of The Heritage at Northern Hills

The Heritage at Northern Hills sits on the north side of Sioux City, in the Teton Trace neighborhood of Woodbury County, at 4002 Teton Trace. It’s a two-story, 128-bed community that’s been open for 26 years, offering independent living, assisted living, and respite care under one administrator, Christy Nikkel. The neighborhood is car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 18: most errands mean getting in a car rather than walking down the block.

Inside, residents choose from studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts. Right now 63 of the community’s 128 beds are filled, putting occupancy at 49 percent, well below full capacity. Care comes from a team that includes a registered nurse, licensed practical nurses, and certified medication aides, with support available around the clock.

Daily life includes a movie theater, a game room, a salon and barbershop, and a café, plus a restaurant-style dining room for meals. Transportation services help residents get to appointments or run errands without needing a car of their own. Pets are welcome here, so a move doesn’t have to mean parting with a dog or cat.

Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing reviews long-term care communities like this one for health and safety compliance. At The Heritage at Northern Hills, the themes that have come up in that process include medication management, staffing and staff credentials, and care planning and documentation.

With a mix of independent living, assisted living, and respite options in one place, this is a community built for families who want room to shift the level of care as needs change, without having to relocate to a different facility altogether.

Bed community size
128-bed community Rank #32 / 406Bed count — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 32nd out of 406 homes in Iowa for bed count. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other Iowa facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Iowa that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A larger shared setting that may offer more common spaces and organized community services.
Years in operation
26 years in operation Rank #75 / 286Years in operation — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 75th out of 286 homes in Iowa for years in operation. Shows how long this facility has been in operation compared to other Iowa facilities. Longer operating histories may benefit residents, families, and staff.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Iowa that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A longer operating history, which may indicate experience navigating regulations and delivering ongoing care.
Walk Score
Walk Score: 18 / 100 Rank #430 / 528Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 430th out of 528 homes in Iowa for walk score. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average walk score across Iowa facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Iowa that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.

About this community

Occupancy

Occupancy rate
49%
Rank #266 / 379Occupancy rate — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 266th out of 379 homes in Iowa for occupancy. Shows this facility's occupancy rate versus the Iowa average, with its Statewide rank out of 379. Higher occupancy signals strong local demand and financial stability.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Iowa that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Lower than the Iowa average: 75.4%
Occupied beds
63 / 128
Average occupied beds in Iowa homes 51 beds

License Details

Facility TypeAssisted Living Programs For People With Dementia
StatusActive
IssuanceAugust 24, 1999
ExpirationDecember 12, 2027
CountyWoodbury
License NumberS0058
Year Opened08/24/1999

Ownership & Operating Entity

The Heritage At Northern Hills is administered by Christy Nikkel.

Contact Information

Contact The Heritage At Northern Hills

Inspection History

In Iowa, the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing conducts unannounced health and safety surveys to monitor compliance and protect residents in long-term care settings.

Since 2004 · 22 years of data 43 deficiencies 22 inspections

Inspection Scorecard Info This scorecard compares key inspection, deficiency, and complaint metrics at this facility against the Iowa state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.

Since 2004 vs. Iowa state average
Overall vs. IA average 1 Worse Metrics worse than Iowa average:
• Total deficiencies (59% above)
0 Better No metrics in this bucket.

Deficiencies Info Deficiencies are formal regulatory issues recorded during state inspections.

This FacilityIA Averagevs. IA Avg
Total deficiencies Info Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types. 4327 This facility has 59% more total deficiencies than a typical Iowa assisted living residence (43 vs. IA avg 27).↑ 59% worse

Inspections Info State inspections evaluate whether the facility meets health and safety standards.

This FacilityIA Averagevs. IA Avg
Total inspections Info Combined count of all inspections conducted at this facility. 2215 This facility has had 47% more total inspections than the Iowa average (22 vs. IA avg 15). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↑ 47% more

What does this home offer?

Pets allowed icon
Pets allowed icon

Pets Allowed

Housing options icon
Housing options icon

Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

Building type icon
Building type icon

Building Type: Two-story

Transportation services icon
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Transportation Services

Living Spaces & Floor Plans for The Heritage At Northern Hills

Floor plan 1
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Floor plan 4
Reviews (1)

The Heritage At Northern Hills Reviews

David Oconnor
The staff is amazing. They are always friendly when I come into the buildings

Places of interest near The Heritage At Northern Hills

Address 4.0 miles from city center Info Estimated distance in miles from Sioux City's city center to The Heritage At Northern Hills's address, calculated via Google Maps.

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Compare Assisted Living around Sioux City

Info below is compiled from the IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.

The Heritage At Northern Hills
AL
IL
RC
Sioux City (Teton Trace)
128
Facility 128
IA AVG 71
Rank #32 / 406
Yes
18
Facility 18
IA AVG 45
Rank #430 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
26
Facility 26
IA AVG 19
Rank #75 / 286
49.2% -22
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 7
Rank #232 / 294
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #269 / 294
Sunrise Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Sioux City
74
Facility 74
IA AVG 71
Rank #136 / 406
Yes
22
Facility 22
IA AVG 45
Rank #411 / 528
Studio
52
Facility 52
IA AVG 19
Rank #5 / 286
90.5% A+25
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #89 / 294
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #284 / 294
Charter Senior Living of Northpark Place
AL
IL
RESC
RC
Sioux City
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 71
Rank #213 / 406
Yes
59
Facility 59
IA AVG 45
Rank #160 / 528
-
32
Facility 32
IA AVG 19
Rank #39 / 286
--9
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 7
Rank #146 / 294
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 294
Bickford of Sioux City
AL
MC
Sioux City (Indian Hills Drive)
41
Facility 41
IA AVG 71
Rank #320 / 406
Yes
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 45
Rank #295 / 528
Private Rooms
26
Facility 26
IA AVG 19
Rank #75 / 286
48.8% B-22
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 7
Rank #186 / 294
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #284 / 294
Heart of Siouxland Senior Care
AL
Sioux City
-
Facility -
IA AVG 71
Rank #401 / 406
No
66
Facility 66
IA AVG 45
Rank #118 / 528
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Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in Iowa

The Heritage At Northern Hills is located in Sioux City, Iowa.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Iowa.

Get Financial aid guidance

Elderly Waiver

Iowa Medicaid Elderly Waiver

Age 65+
General Iowa resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
IA

Rural focus; waitlists possible.

Benefits
In-home care (5-7 hours/day) Meals ($6/meal) Respite (240 hours/year) Adult day care ($60/day)

Iowa Family Caregiver Support

IA NFCSP

Age Caregiver of someone 60+
General Iowa resident.
Income Limits No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.
Asset Limits Not applicable.
IA

Limited slots; rural emphasis.

Benefits
In-home respite (4-6 hours/day) Adult day care (~$60/day) Short-term facility care (up to 5 days)

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Iowa Medicare Savings Program

Age 65+ or disabled
General Iowa resident, Medicare Part A/B.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI)—individual.
Asset Limits $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
IA

Three tiers; no waitlist.

Benefits
Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month) Deductibles ($240/year) Copays (~20%)

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Iowa PACE

Age 55+
General Iowa resident, nursing home-level care need, safe with PACE support.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, Medicaid-eligible
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
IA

Limited to western Iowa (e.g., Council Bluffs); expanding slowly.

Benefits
Personal care (5-7 hours/day) Medical care Meals Transportation Therapy Respite

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits

Iowa VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse
General Iowa resident, wartime service, need for ADL help (A&A) or homebound.
Income Limits (2025) Net income < ~$1,984/month (veteran with dependent, A&A); pension offsets income.
Asset Limits ~$155,356 net worth limit
IA

High veteran demand in rural areas.

Benefits
Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs (e.g., in-home, assisted living)

Able Up Iowa

Able Up Iowa

Age 65+ or disabled
General Iowa resident, ability to repay loan, need for assistive tech or mods.
Income Limits (2025) No strict limit; must demonstrate repayment capacity.
Asset Limits Not specified; credit-based.
IA

Loans up to $25,000; statewide via Easterseals partnership.

Benefits
Loans for wheelchairs Ramps Walk-in tubs (~$500-$10,000 avg.) Reducing reliance on paid care

Frequently Asked Questions about The Heritage At Northern Hills

What neighborhood is The Heritage At Northern Hills in?

The Heritage At Northern Hills is in the Teton Trace neighborhood of Sioux City.

Is The Heritage At Northern Hills in a walkable area?

The Heritage At Northern Hills has a walk score of 18. Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.

What is the license number of The Heritage At Northern Hills?

According to IA state health department records, The Heritage At Northern Hills's license number is S0058.

When does The Heritage At Northern Hills's license expire?

According to IA state health department records, The Heritage At Northern Hills's license expires on December 12, 2027.

What is the occupancy rate at The Heritage At Northern Hills?

The Heritage At Northern Hills's occupancy is 49%.

How long has The Heritage At Northern Hills been in business?

The Heritage At Northern Hills has been operating for approximately 26 years, based on available licensing and registration records.

Are pets allowed at The Heritage At Northern Hills?

Yes, The Heritage At Northern Hills allows residents to bring their pets.

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