Afton, IA

Iowa

Afton is a small town in Iowa with a population of 991. Residents earn $57,232 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
991 Population 981/sq mi density
$57,232 Median Income $29,295 per capita
$99,700 Home Value $119,194 Zillow
$564 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$57,232 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$99,700 home value, $564/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,232
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $99,700
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.7%
30% lower than US avg
Median Rent $564
52% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.9%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.4%
32% lower than US avg

How Afton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population991
Median Age35.6 yrs
Density981/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

A
Median Income$57,232
Per Capita$29,295
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty8.4%
County GDP$965M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$99,700
Rent$564
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$119,194

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Elevation1,230 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.7%
High School+94.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 31%
Commute18 min
Libraries1

Is Afton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Afton receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Afton stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Afton is $57,232, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. 8.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Afton is $99,700, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $564 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Afton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Afton has a population of 991 with a density of 981 people per square mile. The median age is 35.6 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.3%), with 2.5% Black.

Population

991
Total Population
981
People / sq mi
35.6yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.2%
Female 43.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Afton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.3%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.7%
57% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Afton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Afton is $57,232, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Afton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,232
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,295
Avg Weekly Wage$962
IRS Avg AGI$60,108

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.4%
32% below US avg
Establishments (County)459
County GDP$965M

Business (County)

Restaurants27
Healthcare34
Retail46
Manufacturing10

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,256
22% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.27%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.2 min
Work from Home2.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Afton is $99,700, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $564 (52% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $119,194.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$99,700
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$119,194

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$564
52% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,256
22% above US avg
Effective Rate4.27%
In Afton, 36.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 25.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Afton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.9%
15% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.6%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.7%
Physical Inactivity25.4%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress12.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.5%
Checkup Rate75.3%
Premature Death8,896/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access83.0%
Healthcare Facilities34

Crime Rates: Afton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Afton has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,230 ft (375 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density981/sq mi
Coordinates41.0276°N, 94.1953°W
County FIPS19175
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (30% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 36.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.4%
D 31.3%

Winner: Republican by 36.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.7%
30% below US avg
High School+94.2%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density981/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities34
Restaurants27
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.2 min
Work from Home2.1%

Nearby Cities

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