Beacon, IA

Iowa

Beacon is a small town in Iowa with a population of 497. Residents earn $56,000 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
497 Population 637/sq mi density
$56,000 Median Income $38,070 per capita
$76,200 Home Value $122,561 Zillow
$729 Median Rent 18.3% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$56,000 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$76,200 home value, $729/mo rent
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,000
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $76,200
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.6%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $729
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.0%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.3%
41% lower than US avg

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

People

Population497
Median Age40.4 yrs
Density637/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 88%
Veterans9.1%

Economy

A
Median Income$56,000
Per Capita$38,070
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty7.3%
County GDP$1,192M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$76,200
Rent$729
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$122,561
Rent Burden18.3%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.7 in/yr
Elevation744 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.6%
High School+88.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute28 min
Broadband79.4%
Libraries2

Is Beacon a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Beacon receives an overall livability score of 3.5 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 below-average incomes. Beacon offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Beacon is $56,000, 25% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. Only 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Beacon is $76,200, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $729 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

6.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Beacon experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Beacon has a population of 497 with a density of 637 people per square mile. The median age is 40.4 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.1%), with 1.8% Hispanic, 2.4% Black.

Population

497
Total Population
637
People / sq mi
40.4yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.7%
Female 49.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Beacon vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Beacon vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Beacon is $56,000, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Beacon vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,000
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$38,070
Avg Weekly Wage$1,067
IRS Avg AGI$73,144

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.3%
41% below US avg
Establishments (County)625
County GDP$1,192M

Business (County)

Restaurants44
Healthcare43
Retail75
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,289
23% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.3 min
Drive Alone79.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Beacon is $76,200, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $729 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $122,561.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$76,200
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$122,561

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$729
37% below US avg
Rent Burden18.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,289
23% above US avg
Effective Rate5.63%
In Beacon, 38.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.4% report depression. 26.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.0%
18% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure30.9%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.5%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.1%
Physical Inactivity26.9%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.6%
Checkup Rate73.8%
Premature Death7,887/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access70.6%
Healthcare Facilities43

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Beacon has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.7 inches
2% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation744 ft (227 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density637/sq mi
Coordinates41.2761°N, 92.6810°W
County FIPS19123
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 6.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.6-point margin. 79.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.2%
D 23.6%

Winner: Republican by 51.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.6%
80% below US avg
High School+88.6%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density637/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access79.4%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities43
Restaurants44
Retail Stores75

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.3 min
Drive Alone79.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Beacon with another city: