Algona, IA

Iowa

Algona is a small city in Iowa with a population of 5,414. Residents earn $52,542 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
5,414 Population 1,167/sq mi density
$52,542 Median Income $34,112 per capita
$156,200 Home Value $178,871 Zillow
$887 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
254 Violent Crime/100K 636 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$52,542 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$156,200 home value, $887/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
254 violent crimes/100K (33% below avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,542
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $156,200
45% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 254/100K
33% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.7%
30% lower than US avg
Median Rent $887
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.2%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.9%
52% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,414
Median Age43.1 yrs
Density1,167/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A
Median Income$52,542
Per Capita$34,112
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty5.9%
County GDP$1,399M
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$156,200
Rent$887
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$178,871

Crime

F
Violent254/100K
Property636/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault254/100K
Burglary200/100K

Health

Obesity38.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.5%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.1 in/yr
Elevation1,179 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.7%
High School+94.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 27%
Commute12 min
EV Stations2
Libraries11

Is Algona a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Algona receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Algona offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Algona is $52,542, 30% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. Only 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Algona is $156,200, 45% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $887 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Algona is below the national average at 254 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 636 per 100,000, 68% below the national average.

Education

23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Algona experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Algona has a population of 5,414 with a density of 1,167 people per square mile. The median age is 43.1 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.9%).

Population

5,414
Total Population
1,167
People / sq mi
43.1yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
4.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Algona vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.0%
20% above US avg
Spanish6.0%
55% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Algona vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Algona is $52,542, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Algona vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,542
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,112
Avg Weekly Wage$1,015
IRS Avg AGI$79,103

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.9%
52% below US avg
Establishments (County)644
County GDP$1,399M

Business (County)

Restaurants33
Healthcare33
Retail71
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,442
27% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.9 min
Work from Home4.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Algona is $156,200, 45% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $887 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $178,871.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$156,200
45% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$178,871

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$887
24% 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-Occupied65.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,442
27% above US avg
Effective Rate2.84%
In Algona, 38.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.5% report depression. 23.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.2%
19% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma10.0%
COPD5.9%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.1%
Physical Inactivity23.9%
Depression21.5%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress11.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Checkup Rate75.3%
Premature Death7,364/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access61.4%
Healthcare Facilities33
Algona has a violent crime rate of 254 per 100,000 residents, 33% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 636 per 100,000 (68% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent254.4/100K
33% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault254.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property635.9/100K
68% below US avg
Burglary199.9/100K
Theft345.2/100K
Vehicle Theft90.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Algona has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.1 inches
10% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,179 ft (359 m)
Area4.6 sq mi (12.0 km²)
Population Density1,167/sq mi
Coordinates43.0763°N, 94.2317°W
County FIPS19109
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 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 44.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.4%
D 27.3%

Winner: Republican by 44.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.7%
30% below US avg
High School+94.1%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,167/sq mi
Total Area4.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants33
Retail Stores71

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.9 min
Work from Home4.5%

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