Battle Creek, IA

Iowa

Battle Creek is a small town in Iowa with a population of 822. Residents earn $59,519 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
822 Population 1,442/sq mi density
$59,519 Median Income $31,828 per capita
$72,300 Home Value $110,308 Zillow
$450 Median Rent 26.2% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$59,519 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$72,300 home value, $450/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,519
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $72,300
74% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.1%
73% lower than US avg
Median Rent $450
61% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.5%
80% lower than US avg

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

People

Population822
Median Age47.6 yrs
Density1,442/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans7.2%

Economy

A
Median Income$59,519
Per Capita$31,828
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty2.5%
County GDP$746M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$72,300
Rent$450
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$110,308
Rent Burden26.2%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.6%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain32.1 in/yr
Elevation1,198 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.1%
High School+94.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 23%
Commute16 min
Broadband77.4%
Libraries5

Is Battle Creek a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Battle Creek receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Battle Creek offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Battle Creek is $59,519, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. Only 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Battle Creek is $72,300, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $450 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Battle Creek experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Battle Creek has a population of 822 with a density of 1,442 people per square mile. The median age is 47.6 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.1%).

Population

822
Total Population
1,442
People / sq mi
47.6yrs
Median Age
22% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.7%
Female 54.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Battle Creek vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.9%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.1%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Battle Creek vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Battle Creek is $59,519, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Battle Creek vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,519
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,828
Avg Weekly Wage$1,161
IRS Avg AGI$86,968

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.5%
80% below US avg
Establishments (County)302
County GDP$746M

Business (County)

Restaurants16
Healthcare19
Retail35
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,958
13% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.47%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.5 min
Drive Alone79.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home16.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Battle Creek is $72,300, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $450 (61% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $110,308.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$72,300
74% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$110,308

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$450
61% below US avg
Rent Burden26.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,958
13% above US avg
Effective Rate5.47%
In Battle Creek, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.6% report depression. 26.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Battle Creek vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.2%
31% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma10.6%
COPD7.0%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.9%
Physical Inactivity26.7%
Depression22.6%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.9%
Checkup Rate73.9%
Premature Death6,456/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access74.2%
Healthcare Facilities19

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Battle Creek has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.1 inches
16% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,198 ft (365 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density1,442/sq mi
Coordinates42.3170°N, 95.6000°W
County FIPS19093
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 9.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (73% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 53.4-point margin. 77.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.1%
D 22.7%

Winner: Republican by 53.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.1%
73% below US avg
High School+94.6%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,442/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access77.4%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities19
Restaurants16
Retail Stores35

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.5 min
Drive Alone79.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home16.3%

Nearby Cities

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