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Alden, IA

Iowa

Alden is a small town in Iowa with a population of 792. Residents earn $55,625 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
792 Population 508/sq mi density
$55,625 Median Income $30,371 per capita
$102,500 Home Value $159,462 Zillow
$562 Median Rent 18.6% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$55,625 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$102,500 home value, $562/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,625
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $102,500
64% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.9%
71% lower than US avg
Median Rent $562
52% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.3%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.3%
17% lower than US avg

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

People

Population792
Median Age43.9 yrs
Density508/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 91%
Veterans6.7%

Economy

B+
Median Income$55,625
Per Capita$30,371
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty10.3%
County GDP$1,142M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$102,500
Rent$562
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$159,462
Housing Units382
Rent Burden18.6%

Health

Obesity39.3%
Uninsured7.6%
Smoking16.5%
Depression22.1%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.1 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,164 ft (355 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.9%
High School+91.0%
Graduate+8.8%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute15 min
Broadband75.0%
Libraries8

Is Alden a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alden receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Alden offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Alden is $55,625, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. 10.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alden is $102,500, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $562 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Alden experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.1 inches, including 27.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Alden has a population of 792 with a density of 508 people per square mile. The median age is 43.9 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.7%), with 4.5% Hispanic.

Population

792
Total Population
508
People / sq mi
43.9yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.8%
Female 45.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Alden vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.0%
15% above US avg
Spanish10.0%
25% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Alden vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alden is $55,625, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Alden vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,625
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,371
Avg Weekly Wage$1,040
IRS Avg AGI$73,609

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.3%
17% below US avg
Establishments (County)650
County GDP$1,142M

Business (County)

Restaurants33
Healthcare53
Retail64
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,023
15% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.92%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.4 min
Drive Alone89.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Alden is $102,500, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $562 (52% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $159,462.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$102,500
64% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$159,462

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$562
52% below US avg
Rent Burden18.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.0%
Housing Units382
Median Year Built1963

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,023
15% above US avg
Effective Rate3.92%
In Alden, 39.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.6% of residents lack health insurance. 16.5% are current smokers. 22.1% report depression. 24.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.3%
22% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.4%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.5%
18% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.3%
Physical Inactivity24.6%
Depression22.1%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.4%
Short Sleep31.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.2%
Uninsured7.6%
12% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.1%
Dental Visits66.8%
Premature Death7,029/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access85.0%
Healthcare Facilities53
Alden has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.1 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.7°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.1 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall27.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,164 ft (355 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.0 km²)
Population Density508/sq mi
Coordinates42.5116°N, 93.3803°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19083
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 9.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (71% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38.4-point margin. 75.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.7%
D 30.3%

Winner: Republican by 38.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.9%
71% below US avg
High School+91.0%
Graduate Degree+8.8%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density508/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access75.0%
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities53
Restaurants33
Retail Stores64

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.4 min
Drive Alone89.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.1%

Nearby Cities

Iowa Falls, IA 5,062 pop · 5.8 mi Ackley, IA 1,554 pop · 16.9 mi Eldora, IA 2,622 pop · 17.6 mi Hampton, IA 4,311 pop · 18.2 mi Jewell Junction, IA 1,225 pop · 19.1 mi Webster City, IA 7,769 pop · 22.6 mi Clarion, IA 2,775 pop · 23.4 mi Roland, IA 1,458 pop · 24.7 mi Story City, IA 3,363 pop · 24.9 mi Aplington, IA 1,012 pop · 25.8 mi Belmond, IA 2,678 pop · 25.9 mi Sheffield, IA 1,204 pop · 27.5 mi Eagle Grove, IA 3,588 pop · 28.6 mi Parkersburg, IA 1,747 pop · 30.9 mi
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