Calamus, IA

Iowa

Calamus is a small town in Iowa with a population of 405. Residents earn $66,250 per year, which is 12% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
405 Population 827/sq mi density
$66,250 Median Income $29,807 per capita
$123,000 Home Value $203,252 Zillow
$625 Median Rent 22.5% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$66,250 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$123,000 home value, $625/mo rent
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,250
12% lower than US avg
Home Value $123,000
56% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.2%
46% lower than US avg
Median Rent $625
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.5%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.9%
93% lower than US avg

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

People

Population405
Median Age41.1 yrs
Density827/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans11.4%

Economy

A
Median Income$66,250
Per Capita$29,807
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty0.9%
County GDP$2,951M
Commute37 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$123,000
Rent$625
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$203,252
Rent Burden22.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.6 in/yr
Elevation700 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.2%
High School+97.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute37 min
Broadband88.7%
Libraries7

Is Calamus a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Calamus receives an overall livability score of 3.9 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 long commute times, high obesity rates. Calamus offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Calamus is $66,250, 12% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. Only 0.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Calamus is $123,000, 56% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $625 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

18.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Calamus experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.6 inches, including 39.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Calamus has a population of 405 with a density of 827 people per square mile. The median age is 41.1 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.3%).

Population

405
Total Population
827
People / sq mi
41.1yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.6%
Female 49.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Calamus vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Calamus vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Calamus is $66,250, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes.

Income: Calamus vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,250
12% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,807
Avg Weekly Wage$1,014
IRS Avg AGI$65,940

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.9%
93% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,498
County GDP$2,951M

Business (County)

Restaurants117
Healthcare128
Retail162
Manufacturing60

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,438
27% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.61%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time36.9 min
Drive Alone85.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Calamus is $123,000, 56% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $625 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $203,252.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$123,000
56% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$203,252

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$625
46% below US avg
Rent Burden22.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied91.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,438
27% above US avg
Effective Rate3.61%
In Calamus, 39.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 25.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.5%
23% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure32.4%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.6%
Physical Inactivity25.2%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.1%
Checkup Rate74.6%
Premature Death8,790/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access76.9%
Healthcare Facilities128

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Calamus has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.0°F
9% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.6 inches
4% above US avg
Snowfall39.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation700 ft (213 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density827/sq mi
Coordinates41.8264°N, 90.7597°W
County FIPS19045
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 18.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (46% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 18.9-point margin. 88.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.6%
D 39.8%

Winner: Republican by 18.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.2%
46% below US avg
High School+97.1%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density827/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.7%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities128
Restaurants117
Retail Stores162

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute36.9 min
Drive Alone85.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.4%

Nearby Cities

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