Charles City, IA

Iowa

Charles City is a small city in Iowa with a population of 7,321. Residents earn $56,734 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
7,321 Population 1,196/sq mi density
$56,734 Median Income $30,991 per capita
$118,900 Home Value $135,898 Zillow
$628 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
254 Violent Crime/100K 1,521 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$56,734 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$118,900 home value, $628/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
254 violent crimes/100K (33% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,734
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $118,900
58% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 254/100K
33% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.6%
54% lower than US avg
Median Rent $628
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.2%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.8%
29% lower than US avg

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

People

Population7,321
Median Age42.7 yrs
Density1,196/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B+
Median Income$56,734
Per Capita$30,991
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty8.8%
County GDP$1,165M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$118,900
Rent$628
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$135,898

Crime

F
Violent254/100K
Property1,521/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault187/100K
Burglary173/100K

Health

Obesity40.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.7 in/yr
Elevation995 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.6%
High School+94.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute15 min
EV Stations4
Libraries5

Is Charles City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Charles City receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Charles City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Charles City is $56,734, 25% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Charles City is $118,900, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $628 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Charles City is below the national average at 254 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,521 per 100,000, 22% below the national average.

Education

15.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Charles City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.7 inches, including 37.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Charles City has a population of 7,321 with a density of 1,196 people per square mile. The median age is 42.7 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.6%), with 2% Black.

Population

7,321
Total Population
1,196
People / sq mi
42.7yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
6.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Charles City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.8%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.2%
39% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Charles City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Charles City is $56,734, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Charles City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,734
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,991
Avg Weekly Wage$1,057
IRS Avg AGI$69,922

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.8%
29% below US avg
Establishments (County)478
County GDP$1,165M

Business (County)

Restaurants23
Healthcare45
Retail57
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,764
8% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.6 min
Work from Home9.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Charles City is $118,900, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $628 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $135,898.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$118,900
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$135,898

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$628
46% 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-Occupied65.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,764
8% above US avg
Effective Rate3.17%
In Charles City, 40.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.8% report depression. 26.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Charles City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.2%
25% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.0%
Physical Inactivity26.0%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress12.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.2%
Checkup Rate74.7%
Premature Death8,140/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access76.8%
Healthcare Facilities45
Charles City has a violent crime rate of 254 per 100,000 residents, 33% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,521 per 100,000 (22% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent253.5/100K
33% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape66.7/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault186.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,521.0/100K
22% below US avg
Burglary173.5/100K
Theft1,307.5/100K
Vehicle Theft40.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Charles City has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.7 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall37.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation995 ft (303 m)
Area6.1 sq mi (15.9 km²)
Population Density1,196/sq mi
Coordinates43.0648°N, 92.6745°W
County FIPS19067
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 15.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.2%
D 36.5%

Winner: Republican by 25.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.6%
54% below US avg
High School+94.2%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,196/sq mi
Total Area6.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities45
Restaurants23
Retail Stores57

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.6 min
Work from Home9.1%

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