Charter Oak, IA

Iowa

Charter Oak is a small town in Iowa with a population of 489. Residents earn $58,068 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
489 Population 959/sq mi density
$58,068 Median Income $29,903 per capita
$81,600 Home Value $183,883 Zillow
$710 Median Rent 22.7% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$58,068 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$81,600 home value, $710/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,068
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $81,600
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.8%
71% lower than US avg
Median Rent $710
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.1%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.1%
10% lower than US avg

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

People

Population489
Median Age59.5 yrs
Density959/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans12.3%

Economy

B+
Median Income$58,068
Per Capita$29,903
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty11.1%
County GDP$1,117M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$81,600
Rent$710
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$183,883
Rent Burden22.7%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain32.2 in/yr
Elevation1,295 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.8%
High School+93.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute23 min
Broadband76.7%
Libraries6

Is Charter Oak a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Charter Oak receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Charter Oak offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Charter Oak is $58,068, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. 11.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Charter Oak is $81,600, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $710 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Charter Oak experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.2 inches, including 31.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Charter Oak has a population of 489 with a density of 959 people per square mile. The median age is 59.5 years, 53% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.5%), with 4.9% Hispanic.

Population

489
Total Population
959
People / sq mi
59.5yrs
Median Age
53% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.9%
Female 52.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Charter Oak vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.5%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Charter Oak vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Charter Oak is $58,068, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Charter Oak vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,068
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,903
Avg Weekly Wage$1,021
IRS Avg AGI$68,004

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.1%
10% below US avg
Establishments (County)514
County GDP$1,117M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare40
Retail47
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,829
9% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.69%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.3 min
Drive Alone95.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Charter Oak is $81,600, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $710 (39% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $183,883.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$81,600
71% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$183,883

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$710
39% below US avg
Rent Burden22.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,829
9% above US avg
Effective Rate4.69%
In Charter Oak, 41.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.8% report depression. 26.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Charter Oak vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.1%
28% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure31.8%
Asthma10.2%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity26.5%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.2%
Checkup Rate75.2%
Premature Death6,563/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access62.9%
Healthcare Facilities40

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Charter Oak has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.2°F
13% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.2 inches
15% below US avg
Snowfall31.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,295 ft (395 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density959/sq mi
Coordinates42.0678°N, 95.5895°W
County FIPS19047
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 9.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (71% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.5-point margin. 76.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.3%
D 27.8%

Winner: Republican by 43.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.8%
71% below US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density959/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access76.7%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities40
Restaurants36
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.3 min
Drive Alone95.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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