Carson, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Carson is a small town in Iowa with a population of 768. Residents earn $70,703 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
768 Population 1,182/sq mi density
$70,703 Median Income $33,919 per capita
$172,600 Home Value $250,908 Zillow
$731 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$70,703 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$172,600 home value, $731/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,703
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $172,600
39% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.4%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $731
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.6%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.3%
57% lower than US avg

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

People

Population768
Median Age42.4 yrs
Density1,182/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

A
Median Income$70,703
Per Capita$33,919
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty5.3%
County GDP$6,263M
Commute33 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$172,600
Rent$731
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$250,908

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.9%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.4 in/yr
Elevation1,120 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.4%
High School+91.5%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 39%
Commute33 min
Libraries5

Is Carson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Carson receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Carson stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Carson is $70,703, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. Only 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Carson is $172,600, 39% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $731 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Carson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.4 inches, including 28.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Carson has a population of 768 with a density of 1,182 people per square mile. The median age is 42.4 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96%), with 3.1% Hispanic.

Population

768
Total Population
1,182
People / sq mi
42.4yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.9%
Female 52.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Carson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.3%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.7%
95% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Carson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Carson is $70,703, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Carson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,703
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,919
Avg Weekly Wage$1,085
IRS Avg AGI$73,871

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.3%
57% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,746
County GDP$6,263M

Business (County)

Restaurants209
Healthcare220
Retail252
Manufacturing62

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,355
53% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.10%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.6 min
Work from Home8.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Carson is $172,600, 39% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $731 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $250,908.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$172,600
39% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$250,908
Median List Price$30,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$30,000
$/Sq Ft$185
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$731
37% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,355
53% above US avg
Effective Rate3.10%
In Carson, 36.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.9% report depression. 22.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.6%
14% above US avg
Diabetes8.2%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure28.8%
Asthma10.3%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.3%
Physical Inactivity22.4%
Depression22.9%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.2%
Checkup Rate74.7%
Premature Death9,293/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access82.9%
Healthcare Facilities220

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Carson has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.4°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.4 inches
4% below US avg
Snowfall28.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,120 ft (341 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density1,182/sq mi
Coordinates41.2357°N, 95.4198°W
County FIPS19155
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 20-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.3%
D 39.3%

Winner: Republican by 20 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.4%
28% below US avg
High School+91.5%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,182/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities220
Restaurants209
Retail Stores252

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.6 min
Work from Home8.8%

Nearby Cities

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