Ashton, IA

Iowa

Ashton is a small town in Iowa with a population of 518. Residents earn $60,156 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
518 Population 463/sq mi density
$60,156 Median Income $29,618 per capita
$85,400 Home Value $169,395 Zillow
$892 Median Rent 15.8% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$60,156 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,400 home value, $892/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,156
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,400
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.8%
71% lower than US avg
Median Rent $892
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.0%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.2%
58% lower than US avg

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

People

Population518
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density463/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans7.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,156
Per Capita$29,618
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty5.2%
County GDP$602M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,400
Rent$892
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$169,395
Rent Burden15.8%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain30.2 in/yr
Elevation1,448 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.8%
High School+89.7%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 17%
Commute20 min
Broadband84.7%
Libraries4

Is Ashton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ashton receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Ashton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ashton is $60,156, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ashton is $85,400, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $892 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ashton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.2 inches, including 41.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Ashton has a population of 518 with a density of 463 people per square mile. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.9%).

Population

518
Total Population
463
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.2%
Female 54.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Ashton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ashton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ashton is $60,156, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Ashton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,156
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,618
Avg Weekly Wage$959
IRS Avg AGI$70,321

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.2%
58% below US avg
Establishments (County)272
County GDP$602M

Business (County)

Restaurants8
Healthcare16
Retail28
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,900
17% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.40%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.3 min
Drive Alone78.6%
Public Transit0.7%
Work from Home2.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Ashton is $85,400, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $892 (23% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $169,395.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,400
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$169,395

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$892
23% below US avg
Rent Burden15.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,900
17% below US avg
Effective Rate3.40%
In Ashton, 39.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.7% report depression. 26.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.0%
21% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure30.8%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.8%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.3%
Physical Inactivity26.2%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.9%
Checkup Rate73.8%
Premature Death8,292/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access54.3%
Healthcare Facilities16

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Ashton has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.5°F
18% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.2 inches
20% below US avg
Snowfall41.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,448 ft (441 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density463/sq mi
Coordinates43.3094°N, 95.7908°W
County FIPS19143
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 9.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (71% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 64.2-point margin. 84.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81.5%
D 17.2%

Winner: Republican by 64.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.8%
71% below US avg
High School+89.7%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density463/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access84.7%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants8
Retail Stores28

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.3 min
Drive Alone78.6%
Public Transit0.7%
Work from Home2.2%

Nearby Cities

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