Bridgewater, IA

Iowa

Bridgewater is a small town in Iowa with a population of 131. Residents earn $59,167 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
131 Population 452/sq mi density
$59,167 Median Income $32,715 per capita
$70,500 Home Value
$535 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$59,167 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$70,500 home value, $535/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,167
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $70,500
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.6%
48% lower than US avg
Median Rent $535
54% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.1%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.1%
75% lower than US avg

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

People

Population131
Median Age38.9 yrs
Density452/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans83.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$59,167
Per Capita$32,715
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty3.1%
County GDP$663M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$70,500
Rent$535
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units52
Rent Burden51.0%

Health

Obesity39.1%
Uninsured7.4%
Smoking15.6%
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.5 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,249 ft (381 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.6%
High School+96.7%
Graduate+11.7%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 27%
Commute24 min
Broadband62.0%
Libraries4

Is Bridgewater a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bridgewater receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Bridgewater offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bridgewater is $59,167, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bridgewater is $70,500, 75% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $535 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

17.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Bridgewater experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.5 inches, including 25.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Bridgewater has a population of 131 with a density of 452 people per square mile. The median age is 38.9 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

131
Total Population
452
People / sq mi
38.9yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55%
Female 45%

Race & Ethnicity

Bridgewater vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Bridgewater vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bridgewater is $59,167, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Bridgewater vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,167
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,715
Avg Weekly Wage$1,022
IRS Avg AGI$64,151

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.1%
75% below US avg
Establishments (County)332
County GDP$663M

Business (County)

Restaurants17
Healthcare22
Retail29
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,267
7% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.5 min
Drive Alone72.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Bridgewater is $70,500, 75% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $535 (54% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$70,500
75% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$535
54% 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-Occupied88.7%
Housing Units52
Median Year Built1951

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,267
7% below US avg
Effective Rate4.63%
In Bridgewater, 39.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.4% of residents lack health insurance. 15.6% are current smokers. 21.4% report depression. 24.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.1%
22% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure31.2%
Asthma10.0%
COPD6.1%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.6%
11% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.0%
Physical Inactivity24.0%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress12.0%
Short Sleep33.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured7.4%
14% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.4%
Dental Visits66.3%
Premature Death7,151/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access34.2%
Healthcare Facilities22
Bridgewater has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.5 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.1°F
9% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.5 inches
4% below US avg
Snowfall25.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,249 ft (381 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density452/sq mi
Coordinates41.2471°N, 94.6689°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19001
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 17.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (48% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 45-point margin. 62.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.8%
D 26.7%

Winner: Republican by 45 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.6%
48% below US avg
High School+96.7%
Graduate Degree+11.7%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density452/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access62.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities22
Restaurants17
Retail Stores29

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.5 min
Drive Alone72.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Greenfield, IA 1,826 pop · 11.6 mi Anita, IA 1,060 pop · 14.5 mi Corning, IA 1,573 pop · 18.0 mi Creston, IA 7,466 pop · 20.4 mi Atlantic, IA 6,773 pop · 20.9 mi Griswold, IA 1,020 pop · 24.5 mi Stuart, IA 1,642 pop · 25.2 mi Lenox, IA 1,474 pop · 25.8 mi Villisca, IA 1,004 pop · 27.3 mi Guthrie Center, IA 1,603 pop · 31.0 mi Red Oak, IA 5,542 pop · 33.1 mi Earlham, IA 1,406 pop · 33.1 mi Walnut, IA 1,339 pop · 33.1 mi Panora, IA 1,520 pop · 34.5 mi
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