Castalia, IA

Iowa

Castalia is a small town in Iowa with a population of 142. Residents earn $50,714 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
142 Population 245/sq mi density
$50,714 Median Income $36,692 per capita
$96,900 Home Value $288,138 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$50,714 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$96,900 home value
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,714
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $96,900
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.7%
80% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.6%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.5%
40% lower than US avg

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

People

Population142
Median Age59.3 yrs
Density245/mi²
Male / Female47% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans8.5%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,714
Per Capita$36,692
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty7.5%
County GDP$1,354M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$96,900
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$288,138

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.0%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.9 in/yr
Elevation1,249 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.7%
High School+90.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute24 min
Broadband74.0%
Libraries5

Is Castalia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Castalia receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Castalia offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Castalia is $50,714, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 7.5% 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 Castalia is $96,900, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Castalia experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.9 inches, including 39.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Castalia has a population of 142 with a density of 245 people per square mile. The median age is 59.3 years, 52% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

142
Total Population
245
People / sq mi
59.3yrs
Median Age
52% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.5%
Female 53.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Castalia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.0%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.0%
63% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Castalia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Castalia is $50,714, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Castalia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,714
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,692
Avg Weekly Wage$989
IRS Avg AGI$79,419

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.5%
40% below US avg
Establishments (County)767
County GDP$1,354M

Business (County)

Restaurants60
Healthcare59
Retail96
Manufacturing30

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,702
34% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.85%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.8 min
Drive Alone83.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Castalia is $96,900, 66% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $288,138.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$96,900
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$288,138

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

Owner-Occupied93.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,702
34% above US avg
Effective Rate4.85%
In Castalia, 36.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.0% report depression. 22.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.6%
14% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.2%
Asthma9.5%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.9%
Physical Inactivity22.7%
Depression20.0%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.0%
Checkup Rate75.3%
Premature Death4,480/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access74.3%
Healthcare Facilities59

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Castalia has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.9 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall39.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,249 ft (381 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density245/sq mi
Coordinates43.1126°N, 91.6769°W
County FIPS19191
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 6.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 9.3-point margin. 74.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.9%
D 44.6%

Winner: Republican by 9.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.7%
80% below US avg
High School+90.0%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density245/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access74.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities59
Restaurants60
Retail Stores96

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.8 min
Drive Alone83.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare Castalia with another city: