Violent Crime
345/100K
9% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
6.5%
81% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
39.4%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment
0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
33.3%
169% higher than US avg
How Carbon Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population46
Median Age68.5 yrs
Density61/mi²
Male / Female63% / 37%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans46.0%
Economy
Per Capita$25,407
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty33.3%
County GDP$266M
Housing
Ownership92.9%
Zillow$141,502
Housing Units36
Rent Burden23.6%
Crime
F
Violent345/100K
Property2,852/100K
Health
Obesity39.4%
Smoking16.9%
Depression23.0%
Heart Disease5.6%
Climate
Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.3 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,120 ft (341 m)
Education
D
Bachelor's+6.5%
High School+73.9%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.65
Community
2024 VoteR 71% / D 27%
Broadband28.0%
EV Stations1
Libraries2
Is Carbon a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Carbon receives an overall livability score of 1.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of F. Key strengths include low unemployment, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, high obesity rates. Carbon faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.
Economy & Jobs
The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 33.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population.
Safety & Crime
Violent crime in Carbon is below the national average at 345 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,852 per 100,000, 46% above the national average.
Education
6.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 73.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.
Climate & Weather
Carbon experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 22°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 35.3 inches, including 27.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Carbon has a population of 46 with a density of 61 people per square mile, spread across 0.7 square miles. The median age is 68.5 years, 76% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 37% female and 63% male. The city is predominantly White (100%). English is the primary language spoken at home by 100% of residents. 46.0% of the population are veterans, above the national rate of 6.0%. 39.0% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 96.6% have health insurance coverage.
Population
68.5yrs
Median Age
76% above US avg
Language Spoken at Home
English Only
100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish
0.0%
100% below US avg
Per capita income is $25,407 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $954, 33% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 33.3% of residents live below the poverty line, higher than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 148 business establishments, including 9 restaurants. The cost of living index is 87.8, below the national baseline of 100 / offering relatively affordable living. 0.0% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).
Income
| |
| Per Capita Income | $25,407 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $954 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $59,892 |
| Gini Index | 0.495 (0=equal, 1=unequal) |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 33.3% |
| 169% above US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 148 |
| County GDP | $266M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 9 |
| Healthcare | 10 |
| Retail | 13 |
| Manufacturing | 6 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $2,867 |
| 18% below US avg |
| Cost of Living | 87.80 (100=avg) |
Commute & Transportation
| Drive Alone | 100.0% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 0.0% |
Zillow estimates the typical home value at $141,502. Fair market rent ranges from $788 for a one-bedroom to $989 for a two-bedroom apartment. 92.9% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 36 total housing units in the city. The median year a home was built is 1948. The average annual property tax is $2,867 (lower than the $3,500 national average). 23.6% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing.
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $738 |
| 1 Bedroom | $788 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $989 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,282 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 92.9% |
| Owner-Occupied | 92.9% |
| Renter-Occupied | 7.1% |
| Housing Units | 36 |
| Median Year Built | 1948 |
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $2,867 |
| 18% below US avg |
In Carbon, 39.4% of adults are obese, above the national rate of 32.1%. 9.7% have diabetes. Heart disease affects 5.6% of residents. 31.2% have high blood pressure. 16.9% are current smokers (above the 14.0% national rate). 22.1% report binge drinking. 25.6% are physically inactive. 23.0% report depression. 18.5% experience frequent mental distress. The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,821. The dentist ratio is 1:1,204. 55.3% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The food environment index is 9.0 out of 10.
Health Metrics: Carbon vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 39.4% |
| 23% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 9.7% |
| Heart Disease | 5.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.2% |
| Asthma | 10.6% |
| COPD | 6.7% |
| Cancer | 7.4% |
| Stroke | 2.9% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| Smoking | 16.9% |
| 21% above US avg |
| Binge Drinking | 22.1% |
| Physical Inactivity | 25.6% |
| Depression | 23.0% |
| Mental Distress | 18.5% |
| Physical Distress | 12.8% |
| Short Sleep | 34.7% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 96.6% |
| |
| Primary Care | 1:1,821 |
| Dentists | 1:1,204 |
| Mental Health | 1:1,772 |
| Checkup Rate | 75.3% |
| Dental Visits | 64.6% |
| Premature Death | 6,725/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 9.0/10 |
| Exercise Access | 55.3% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 10 |
Carbon has a violent crime rate of 345 per 100,000 residents, 9% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,852 per 100,000, 46% above the U.S. average. Overall, Carbon receives a safety grade of F.
Crime Rates: Carbon vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
| Total Violent | 345.1/100K |
| 9% below US avg |
| |
Property Crime
| Total Property | 2,852.0/100K |
| 46% above US avg |
Traffic Safety
| Avg Accident Severity | 0.0 / 4.0 |
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
Carbon experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 35.3 inches. The area receives 27.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,120 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.4°F |
| 9% below US avg |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,120 ft (341 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 61/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.0498°N, 94.8246°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Adams County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eppley Airfield (OMA)
58 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall
35.3"
7% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun)
4.45"
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 20.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 28.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 58.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado |
Relatively Low |
| Hurricane |
Very Low |
| Earthquake |
Very Low |
| Wildfire |
Very Low |
| Flood |
Very Low |
| Hail |
Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind |
Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave |
Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather |
Very Low |
| Lightning |
Very Low |
| Ice Storm |
Very Low |
| Drought |
Relatively High |
| Cold Wave |
Relatively Low |
| Landslide |
Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M3.6 on Dec 17, 2009.
| Dec 17, 2009 |
2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska |
M3.6 |
113 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 |
6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa |
M3.5 |
77 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 |
6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri |
M3.1 |
62 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 |
2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska |
M2.9 |
107 km |
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)
Tornado History
630 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest: EF5. Total: 23 fatalities, 358 injuries.
| Date |
Rating |
Distance |
Fatalities |
| Jun 27, 1953 |
EF5 |
46 km |
1 |
| May 21, 2024 |
EF4 |
19 km |
5 |
| Mar 5, 2022 |
EF4 |
56 km |
6 |
| Apr 8, 1999 |
EF4 |
23 km |
0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 |
EF4 |
42 km |
0 |
| May 27, 1995 |
EF4 |
83 km |
0 |
| May 27, 1995 |
EF4 |
34 km |
0 |
| May 24, 1989 |
EF4 |
12 km |
0 |
| Jun 7, 1984 |
EF4 |
97 km |
3 |
| Jun 2, 1980 |
EF4 |
90 km |
0 |
| Mar 29, 1979 |
EF4 |
69 km |
0 |
| Jun 26, 1976 |
EF4 |
79 km |
0 |
| Jun 22, 1964 |
EF4 |
65 km |
0 |
| Apr 12, 1964 |
EF4 |
54 km |
1 |
| May 10, 1959 |
EF4 |
53 km |
0 |
| Apr 5, 1954 |
EF4 |
73 km |
0 |
| May 21, 2024 |
EF3 |
38 km |
0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 |
EF3 |
77 km |
0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 |
EF3 |
73 km |
1 |
| Apr 26, 2024 |
EF3 |
93 km |
0 |
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (4,195 ac, 2005).
| Year |
Name |
Acres |
Distance |
| 2005 |
UNNAMED |
4,195 |
46 km |
| 2010 |
UNNAMED |
629 |
95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)
Monthly Weather
| Month |
Avg Temperature |
Precipitation |
Summary |
| January |
22°F (-6°C) |
0.9 in |
Coldest, Driest |
| February |
27°F (-3°C) |
0.9 in |
|
| March |
38°F (3°C) |
2.2 in |
|
| April |
50°F (10°C) |
3.4 in |
|
| May |
61°F (16°C) |
4.3 in |
|
| June |
71°F (21°C) |
4.5 in |
Wettest |
| July |
74°F (23°C) |
4.3 in |
Warmest |
| August |
73°F (23°C) |
4.4 in |
|
| September |
65°F (18°C) |
4.5 in |
|
| October |
53°F (11°C) |
2.6 in |
|
| November |
38°F (3°C) |
1.8 in |
|
| December |
25°F (-4°C) |
1.2 in |
|
Carbon has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 22°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.9").
Average costs for common services in Carbon. Prices are estimated based on regional cost of living data and may vary by provider.
Healthcare
| Doctor Visit (Primary Care) |
$220 ($132–$351) |
| Specialist Visit |
$307 ($176–$483) |
| Urgent Care Visit |
$176 ($88–$307) |
| Emergency Room Visit |
$1,932 ($702–$4,390) |
| Dental Cleaning |
$114 ($66–$176) |
| Dental Filling |
$220 ($132–$351) |
View all 40 services
Auto Repair
| Oil Change (Conventional) |
$40 ($22–$66) |
| Oil Change (Synthetic) |
$66 ($44–$105) |
| Brake Pad Replacement |
$263 ($132–$439) |
| Tire Rotation |
$35 ($18–$66) |
| New Tires (Set of 4) |
$527 ($351–$878) |
| Battery Replacement |
$176 ($88–$307) |
View all 18 services
Home Services
| Plumber (Per Hour) |
$88 ($53–$132) |
| Electrician (Per Hour) |
$79 ($44–$123) |
| HVAC Repair |
$351 ($132–$702) |
| HVAC System Install |
$6,146 ($3,512–$10,536) |
| Roof Repair |
$878 ($351–$1,756) |
| Roof Replacement |
$7,902 ($4,829–$13,170) |
View all 25 services
Legal
| Divorce (Uncontested) |
$1,317 ($439–$3,073) |
| Divorce (Contested) |
$13,170 ($4,390–$26,340) |
| DUI Defense |
$4,390 ($1,756–$8,780) |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) |
$1,317 ($702–$2,634) |
| Will Preparation |
$439 ($176–$878) |
| Trust Preparation |
$2,195 ($878–$4,390) |
View all 12 services
Personal Care
| Men's Haircut |
$22 ($13–$40) |
| Women's Haircut |
$48 ($26–$88) |
| Hair Coloring (Full) |
$132 ($66–$220) |
| Manicure |
$22 ($13–$40) |
| Pedicure |
$35 ($22–$57) |
| Massage (1 Hour) |
$70 ($44–$114) |
View all 12 services
Food & Grocery
| Gallon of Milk (per gallon) |
$3.60 ($2.63–$4.83) |
| Dozen Eggs (per dozen) |
$3.07 ($2.20–$4.39) |
| Loaf of Bread |
$3.34 ($2.20–$4.83) |
| Chicken Breast (per lb) |
$3.95 ($2.63–$5.71) |
| Ground Beef (per lb) |
$4.83 ($3.51–$6.59) |
| Rice (per lb) |
$0.88 ($0.53–$1.58) |
View all 20 services
Utilities
| Electricity (Monthly) |
$123 ($70–$220) |
| Natural Gas (Monthly) |
$61 ($26–$132) |
| Water/Sewer (Monthly) |
$61 ($35–$105) |
| Internet (Monthly) |
$61 ($35–$88) |
| Cell Phone Plan (Monthly) |
$57 ($26–$88) |
| Cable TV (Monthly) |
$75 ($44–$132) |
View all 8 services
Transportation
| Monthly Parking (Downtown) |
$176 ($66–$439) |
| Car Insurance (Annual) |
$1,756 ($1,054–$3,073) |
| Bus Pass (Monthly) |
$61 ($26–$114) |
| Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride) |
$13 ($7.02–$22) |
| Car Registration (Annual) |
$88 ($26–$220) |
| Driver's License Renewal |
$26 ($13–$66) |
View all 8 services
Education & Childcare
| Daycare (Infant, Monthly) |
$1,054 ($527–$2,195) |
| Daycare (Toddler, Monthly) |
$878 ($439–$1,756) |
| After-School Care (Monthly) |
$351 ($176–$615) |
| Tutoring (Per Hour) |
$44 ($22–$88) |
| SAT/ACT Prep Course |
$878 ($351–$2,195) |
| Private School (K-12, Annual) |
$10,975 ($4,390–$26,340) |
View all 8 services
Pets
| Vet Visit (Routine Checkup) |
$53 ($26–$88) |
| Dog Vaccination (Annual) |
$88 ($44–$176) |
| Dog Grooming |
$53 ($26–$88) |
| Pet Boarding (Per Night) |
$35 ($18–$66) |
| Dog Spay/Neuter |
$263 ($132–$439) |
| Cat Spay/Neuter |
$176 ($88–$351) |
View all 9 services
Childcare
| Center-Based (monthly) |
| Infant | $706 |
| Toddler | $609 |
| Preschool | $609 |
| Family Childcare (monthly) |
| Infant | $464 |
| Toddler | $457 |
| Preschool | $457 |
Source: DOL Women's Bureau (2022)
Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon
What is the population of Carbon?
Carbon has a population of 46 residents and is located in Iowa. The population density is 61 people per square mile, spread across 0.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 68.5 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 37% female and 63% male.
Is Carbon expensive to live in?
Carbon is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 87.8 / below the baseline of 100.
Is Carbon safe?
Carbon is safer than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 345 per 100,000 compared to the U.S. rate of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,852 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Carbon receives a safety grade of F based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Carbon?
Carbon has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 22°F in January, while summers reach an average of 74°F in July. The area receives 275 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 35.3 inches, with 27.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 43.
How is the job market in Carbon?
The job market in Carbon is very strong, with unemployment at just 0.0% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $954. There are 148 business establishments in the area, including 9 restaurants and food service locations.
How are the schools in Carbon?
Schools in Carbon score 5.6 out of 10 on standardized testing, near the national average. 6.5% of adults in Carbon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 73.9% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
How healthy is Carbon?
The obesity rate in Carbon is 39.4% (above the national rate of 32.1%). 16.9% of adults are smokers. 25.6% are physically inactive. 23.0% of residents report depression. 55.3% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,821.
What are the demographics of Carbon?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Carbon is 100% White. 100% of residents speak only English at home. 46.0% of the population are military veterans. 39.0% of residents have a disability. 96.6% have health insurance coverage.
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