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Center Junction, IA

Iowa · Jones County · Metropolitan Area

Center Junction is a small town in Iowa with a population of 125. Residents earn $32,679 per year, which is 57% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
125 Population 171/sq mi density
$32,679 Median Income $24,778 per capita
$57,800 Home Value $175,384 Zillow
47°F Avg Temperature 246 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$32,679 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$57,800 home value
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $32,679
57% lower than US avg
Home Value $57,800
79% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.0%
73% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.7%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population125
Median Age60.4 yrs
Density171/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans32.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$32,679
Per Capita$24,778
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$858M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$57,800
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$175,384
Housing Units98
Rent Burden23.3%

Health

Obesity35.7%
Uninsured6.2%
Smoking15.1%
Depression20.0%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.2 in/yr
Sunny Days246/yr
Elevation925 ft (282 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.0%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+6.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute26 min
Broadband61.0%
Libraries7

Is Center Junction a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Center Junction receives an overall livability score of 3.5 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 below-average incomes. Center Junction offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Center Junction is $32,679, 57% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Center Junction is $57,800, 79% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Center Junction experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 40.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Center Junction has a population of 125 with a density of 171 people per square mile. The median age is 60.4 years, 55% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

125
Total Population
171
People / sq mi
60.4yrs
Median Age
55% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%
Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Center Junction vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Center Junction vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Center Junction is $32,679, which is 57% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Center Junction vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$32,679
57% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,778
Avg Weekly Wage$963
IRS Avg AGI$78,129

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)667
County GDP$858M

Business (County)

Restaurants39
Healthcare43
Retail68
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,197
20% above US avg
Cost of Living87.80 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate7.26%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.7 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Center Junction is $57,800, 79% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $175,384.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$57,800
79% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$175,384

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden23.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%
Housing Units98
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,197
20% above US avg
Effective Rate7.26%
In Center Junction, 35.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.2% of residents lack health insurance. 15.1% are current smokers. 20.0% report depression. 21.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Center Junction vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.7%
11% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure27.9%
Asthma9.4%
COPD5.9%
Cancer6.9%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.1%
8% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity21.8%
Depression20.0%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress11.3%
Short Sleep32.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured6.2%
28% below US avg
Primary Care1:2,972
Dentists1:2,606
Mental Health1:909
Checkup Rate68.6%
Dental Visits59.2%
Premature Death5,993/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access71.9%
Healthcare Facilities43
Center Junction has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.2 inches. The area enjoys 246 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.0°F
13% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days246 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.2 inches
6% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation925 ft (282 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density171/sq mi
Coordinates42.1141°N, 91.0903°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyJones County County
County FIPS19105
Center Junction is located in Jones County County. It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 9.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (73% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.3-point margin. 61.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.3%
D 36%

Winner: Republican by 26.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.0%
73% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+6.9%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density171/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi
CountyJones County County

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access61.0%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities43
Restaurants39
Retail Stores68

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.7 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Monticello, IA 4,055 pop · 9.4 mi Anamosa, IA 5,553 pop · 9.5 mi Cascade, IA 2,565 pop · 13.7 mi Clarence, IA 1,223 pop · 15.9 mi Springville, IA 1,210 pop · 19.7 mi Lisbon, IA 1,782 pop · 20.5 mi Mount Vernon, IA 4,551 pop · 21.6 mi Maquoketa, IA 6,105 pop · 22.2 mi Central City, IA 1,266 pop · 23.0 mi Farley, IA 1,809 pop · 23.2 mi Tipton, IA 3,111 pop · 23.8 mi Epworth, IA 1,991 pop · 24.4 mi Dyersville, IA 4,357 pop · 25.4 mi Marion, IA 41,690 pop · 25.9 mi
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