Carpenter, IA

Iowa

Carpenter is a small town in Iowa with a population of 70. Residents earn $72,344 per year, which is 4% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
70 Population 200/sq mi density
$72,344 Median Income $44,599 per capita
$62,500 Home Value
$775 Median Rent 41.7% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$72,344 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$62,500 home value, $775/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $72,344
4% lower than US avg
Home Value $62,500
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.1%
73% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.5%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.3%
65% lower than US avg

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

People

Population70
Median Age49.8 yrs
Density200/mi²
Male / Female63% / 37%
Largest GroupWhite 80%
Veterans59.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$72,344
Per Capita$44,599
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty4.3%
County GDP$485M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$62,500
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units45
Rent Burden41.7%

Health

Obesity39.5%
Uninsured6.5%
Smoking15.4%
Depression20.0%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F (6°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.5 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,192 ft (363 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.1%
High School+81.8%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute31 min
Broadband41.0%
Libraries7

Is Carpenter a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Carpenter receives an overall livability score of 3.7 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 high obesity rates. Carpenter offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Carpenter is $72,344, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Carpenter is $62,500, 78% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Carpenter has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 35.5 inches, including 40.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Carpenter has a population of 70 with a density of 200 people per square mile. The median age is 49.8 years, 28% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80%), with 1.4% Black.

Population

70
Total Population
200
People / sq mi
49.8yrs
Median Age
28% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 62.9%
Female 37.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Carpenter vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Carpenter vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Carpenter is $72,344, which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Carpenter vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$72,344
4% below US avg
Per Capita Income$44,599
Avg Weekly Wage$893
IRS Avg AGI$71,143

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.3%
65% below US avg
Establishments (County)233
County GDP$485M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare11
Retail19
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,689
23% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.30%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.2 min
Drive Alone86.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Carpenter is $62,500, 78% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$62,500
78% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg
Rent Burden41.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.9%
Housing Units45
Median Year Built1943

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,689
23% below US avg
Effective Rate4.30%
In Carpenter, 39.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.5% of residents lack health insurance. 15.4% are current smokers. 20.0% report depression. 22.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.5%
23% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure30.6%
Asthma9.6%
COPD5.8%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.4%
10% above US avg
Binge Drinking24.8%
Physical Inactivity22.6%
Depression20.0%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress11.5%
Short Sleep32.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.7%
Uninsured6.5%
24% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.3%
Dental Visits66.4%
Premature Death6,737/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access58.7%
Healthcare Facilities11
Carpenter has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.5 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average43.0°F
20% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.5 inches
7% below US avg
Snowfall40.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,192 ft (363 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density200/sq mi
Coordinates43.4151°N, 93.0172°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19195
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 9.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (73% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 28.2-point margin. 41.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.5%
D 35.3%

Winner: Republican by 28.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.1%
73% below US avg
High School+81.8%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density200/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access41.0%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants10
Retail Stores19

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.2 min
Drive Alone86.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

St. Ansgar, IA 1,156 pop · 5.6 mi Northwood, IA 2,170 pop · 10.2 mi Manly, IA 1,288 pop · 12.7 mi Osage, IA 3,578 pop · 13.8 mi Austin, MN 26,167 pop · 17.9 mi Nora Springs, IA 1,394 pop · 18.7 mi Mason City, IA 27,135 pop · 20.6 mi Albert Lea, MN 18,379 pop · 24.0 mi Lake Mills, IA 2,054 pop · 25.8 mi Clear Lake, IA 7,603 pop · 26.4 mi Charles City, IA 7,321 pop · 29.7 mi Blooming Prairie, MN 1,977 pop · 31.4 mi Forest City, IA 4,280 pop · 33.0 mi Hayfield, MN 1,382 pop · 33.9 mi
Compare Carpenter with another city: