Chelsea, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Poweshiek County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
342 Population 339/sq mi density
$32,188 Median Income $18,311 per capita
$43,100 Home Value $246,062 Zillow
$681 Median Rent 29.4% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$32,188 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$43,100 home value, $681/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
5.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Chelsea, IA

At a Glance

Median Income
$32,188
57% below
$18,311 per capita
Home Value
$43,100
85% below
Zillow: $246,062
Median Rent
$681/mo
41% below
29.4% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
5.8%
83% below
69.1% high school+
Unemployment
3.4%
6% below
36.4% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
40.5%
26% above
16.4% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
48°F

How Chelsea Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Chelsea's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
43%
Home Value
15%
Rent
59%
Poverty
294%
Bachelor's
17%
Unemployment
94%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Chelsea a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Chelsea residents earn a median household income of $32,188 , which is 57% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $18,311. The unemployment rate stands at 3.4% (6% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 36.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 699 business establishments, including 47 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Chelsea is $43,100 , 85% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $246,062. Median rent is $681/month, with 29.4% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1938.

Education

5.8% of adults in Chelsea hold a bachelor's degree or higher (83% below the national average). 69.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.4/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Chelsea has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.0 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population342
Median Age35.5 yrs
Density339/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Foreign Born24.9%
Veterans5.7%

Economy

C
Median Income$32,188
Per Capita$18,311
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty36.4%
County GDP$1,654M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,108

Housing

A+
Home Value$43,100
Rent$681
Ownership94.5%
Zillow$246,062
Housing Units133
Rent Burden29.4%

Health

Obesity40.5%
Diabetes11.1%
Smoking16.4%
Heart Disease5.9%
Premature Death6,568/100K

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
Rain36.0 in/yr
Elevation783 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.8%
High School+69.1%
Graduate+1.5%
School Score6.4/10

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 41%
Commute42 min
Broadband60.6%
Internet Speed52 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Did You Know?

The median home in Chelsea was built in 1938.
The nearest airport is The Eastern Iowa (36 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.480 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
20.5% of the population has a disability.
24.9% of residents are foreign-born.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.