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Barnum, IA

Iowa

Barnum is a small town in Iowa with a population of 279. Residents earn $83,580 per year, which is 11% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
279 Population 754/sq mi density
$83,580 Median Income $31,001 per capita
$132,500 Home Value $198,730 Zillow
$495 Median Rent 51.0% 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
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$83,580 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$132,500 home value, $495/mo rent
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
2.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $83,580
11% higher than US avg
Home Value $132,500
53% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 2.0%
94% lower than US avg
Median Rent $495
57% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.1%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.4%
40% lower than US avg

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

People

Population279
Median Age27.1 yrs
Density754/mi²
Male / Female70% / 30%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans3.8%

Economy

A
Median Income$83,580
Per Capita$31,001
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty7.4%
County GDP$2,759M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$132,500
Rent$495
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$198,730
Housing Units116
Rent Burden51.0%

Health

Obesity38.1%
Uninsured5.7%
Smoking13.8%
Depression20.4%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.1 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,172 ft (357 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+2.0%
High School+92.6%
Graduate+4.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute17 min
Broadband95.3%
Libraries9

Is Barnum a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Barnum receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Barnum offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Barnum is $83,580, 11% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Barnum is $132,500, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $495 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

2.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Barnum experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 35.1 inches, including 39.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Barnum has a population of 279 with a density of 754 people per square mile. The median age is 27.1 years, 30% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.6%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

279
Total Population
754
People / sq mi
27.1yrs
Median Age
30% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 70.3%
Female 29.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Barnum vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.2%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.8%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Barnum vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Barnum is $83,580, which is 11% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Barnum vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$83,580
11% above US avg
Per Capita Income$31,001
Avg Weekly Wage$1,091
IRS Avg AGI$64,898

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.4%
40% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,198
County GDP$2,759M

Business (County)

Restaurants82
Healthcare126
Retail140
Manufacturing40

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,372
53% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.3 min
Drive Alone83.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Barnum is $132,500, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $495 (57% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $198,730.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$132,500
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$198,730

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$495
57% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied91.6%
Housing Units116
Median Year Built1990

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,372
53% above US avg
Effective Rate4.05%
In Barnum, 38.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 5.7% of residents lack health insurance. 13.8% are current smokers. 20.4% report depression. 20.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.1%
19% above US avg
Diabetes8.2%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.3%
Asthma9.5%
COPD5.0%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.8%
1% below US avg
Binge Drinking25.7%
Physical Inactivity20.3%
Depression20.4%
Mental Distress16.3%
Physical Distress10.4%
Short Sleep36.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.0%
Uninsured5.7%
34% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.2%
Dental Visits69.9%
Premature Death10,249/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access83.6%
Healthcare Facilities126
Barnum has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.1 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.1 inches
8% below US avg
Snowfall39.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,172 ft (357 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density754/sq mi
Coordinates42.5062°N, 94.3657°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19187
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 2.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (94% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.2-point margin. 95.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65%
D 33.8%

Winner: Republican by 31.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+2.0%
94% below US avg
High School+92.6%
Graduate Degree+4.3%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density754/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access95.3%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities126
Restaurants82
Retail Stores140

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.3 min
Drive Alone83.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.4%

Nearby Cities

Manson, IA 1,653 pop · 9.0 mi Fort Dodge, IA 24,788 pop · 9.7 mi Rockwell City, IA 2,449 pop · 15.4 mi Humboldt, IA 4,761 pop · 16.6 mi Pocahontas, IA 1,536 pop · 22.1 mi Lake City, IA 1,652 pop · 24.9 mi Eagle Grove, IA 3,588 pop · 26.0 mi Webster City, IA 7,769 pop · 28.1 mi St. Joseph, MO 71,542 pop · 29.0 mi Sac City, IA 1,782 pop · 32.7 mi Jefferson, IA 4,164 pop · 33.8 mi Laurens, IA 1,234 pop · 34.0 mi Clarion, IA 2,775 pop · 35.9 mi Glidden, IA 1,153 pop · 36.1 mi
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