Brandon, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Brandon is a small town in Iowa with a population of 328. Residents earn $61,875 per year, which is 18% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
328 Population 1,025/sq mi density
$61,875 Median Income $27,020 per capita
$100,000 Home Value $220,673 Zillow
$1,013 Median Rent 25.8% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$61,875 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$100,000 home value, $1,013/mo rent
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,875
18% lower than US avg
Home Value $100,000
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.6%
45% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,013
13% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.5%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.8%
5% lower than US avg

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

People

Population328
Median Age36.5 yrs
Density1,025/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans9.1%

Economy

B+
Median Income$61,875
Per Capita$27,020
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty11.8%
County GDP$1,137M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$100,000
Rent$1,013
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$220,673
Housing Units132
Rent Burden25.8%

Health

Obesity37.5%
Uninsured7.2%
Smoking15.3%
Depression20.9%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation832 ft (254 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.6%
High School+90.2%
Graduate+0.5%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute25 min
Broadband83.6%
Libraries10

Is Brandon a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brandon receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Brandon offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brandon is $61,875, 18% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brandon is $100,000, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,013 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

18.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Brandon experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches, including 33.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Brandon has a population of 328 with a density of 1,025 people per square mile. The median age is 36.5 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.1%).

Population

328
Total Population
1,025
People / sq mi
36.5yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.2%
Female 44.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Brandon vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Brandon vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brandon is $61,875, which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Brandon vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,875
18% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,020
Avg Weekly Wage$1,043
IRS Avg AGI$78,010

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.8%
5% below US avg
Establishments (County)720
County GDP$1,137M

Business (County)

Restaurants35
Healthcare53
Retail85
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,120
18% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.12%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.6 min
Drive Alone84.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Brandon is $100,000, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,013 (13% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $220,673.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$100,000
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$220,673

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,013
13% below US avg
Rent Burden25.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.5%
Housing Units132
Median Year Built1957

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,120
18% above US avg
Effective Rate4.12%
In Brandon, 37.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.2% of residents lack health insurance. 15.3% are current smokers. 20.9% report depression. 22.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.5%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.6%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.6%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.3%
9% above US avg
Binge Drinking24.2%
Physical Inactivity22.5%
Depression20.9%
Mental Distress17.0%
Physical Distress11.5%
Short Sleep36.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.1%
Uninsured7.2%
16% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.8%
Dental Visits65.1%
Premature Death6,615/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access44.3%
Healthcare Facilities53
Brandon has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall33.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation832 ft (254 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density1,025/sq mi
Coordinates42.3150°N, 92.0031°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19011
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 18.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.2-point margin. 83.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66%
D 32.8%

Winner: Republican by 33.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.6%
45% below US avg
High School+90.2%
Graduate Degree+0.5%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,025/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.6%
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities53
Restaurants35
Retail Stores85

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.6 min
Drive Alone84.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.5%

Nearby Cities

Urbana, IA 1,628 pop · 8.4 mi La Porte City, IA 2,170 pop · 9.6 mi Vinton, IA 4,948 pop · 10.6 mi Independence, IA 6,149 pop · 11.4 mi Jesup, IA 2,596 pop · 11.5 mi Center Point, IA 2,575 pop · 14.5 mi Evansdale, IA 4,530 pop · 17.1 mi Winthrop, IA 1,081 pop · 17.3 mi Dysart, IA 1,575 pop · 18.5 mi Palo, IA 1,173 pop · 20.2 mi Waterloo, IA 66,947 pop · 21.6 mi Newhall, IA 1,012 pop · 22.3 mi Fairbank, IA 1,509 pop · 22.6 mi Atkins, IA 2,347 pop · 23.4 mi
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