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Chester, IA

Iowa

Chester is a small town in Iowa with a population of 141. Residents earn $57,500 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
141 Population 102/sq mi density
$57,500 Median Income $30,698 per capita
$101,800 Home Value $190,861 Zillow
$513 Median Rent 16.8% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$57,500 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$101,800 home value, $513/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,500
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $101,800
64% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.2%
64% lower than US avg
Median Rent $513
56% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.3%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.5%
31% lower than US avg

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

People

Population141
Median Age39.5 yrs
Density102/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans6.4%

Economy

A
Median Income$57,500
Per Capita$30,698
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty8.5%
County GDP$727M
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$101,800
Rent$513
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$190,861
Housing Units73
Rent Burden16.8%

Health

Obesity40.3%
Uninsured9.6%
Smoking19.6%
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F (7°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.0 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,213 ft (370 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.2%
High School+93.9%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute34 min
Broadband58.0%
Libraries3

Is Chester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chester receives an overall livability score of 3.7 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, high obesity rates. Chester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chester is $57,500, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. 8.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chester is $101,800, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $513 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Chester has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.0 inches, including 40.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Chester has a population of 141 with a density of 102 people per square mile. The median age is 39.5 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (99.3%).

Population

141
Total Population
102
People / sq mi
39.5yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.1%
Female 53.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Chester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.8%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.3%
53% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chester is $57,500, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Chester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,500
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,698
Avg Weekly Wage$927
IRS Avg AGI$65,702

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.5%
31% below US avg
Establishments (County)341
County GDP$727M

Business (County)

Restaurants17
Healthcare22
Retail49
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,607
26% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.56%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.5 min
Drive Alone64.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Chester is $101,800, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $513 (56% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $190,861.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$101,800
64% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$190,861

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$513
56% below US avg
Rent Burden16.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.5%
Housing Units73
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,607
26% below US avg
Effective Rate2.56%
In Chester, 40.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.6% of residents lack health insurance. 19.6% are current smokers. 22.7% report depression. 27.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.3%
26% above US avg
Diabetes11.0%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure32.8%
Asthma10.5%
COPD7.8%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking19.6%
40% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.4%
Physical Inactivity27.8%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress19.3%
Physical Distress14.1%
Short Sleep35.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.3%
Uninsured9.6%
12% above US avg
Checkup Rate74.3%
Dental Visits58.6%
Premature Death6,255/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access76.5%
Healthcare Facilities22
Chester has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.0 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-10°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.0°F
17% below US avg
January Average15°F (-10°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.0 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall40.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,213 ft (370 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density102/sq mi
Coordinates43.4916°N, 92.3640°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19089
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 12.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.8-point margin. 58.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.3%
D 33.5%

Winner: Republican by 31.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.2%
64% below US avg
High School+93.9%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density102/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access58.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities22
Restaurants17
Retail Stores49

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.5 min
Drive Alone64.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.2%

Nearby Cities

Spring Valley, MN 2,357 pop · 13.7 mi Cresco, IA 3,901 pop · 14.9 mi Harmony, MN 1,089 pop · 18.4 mi Preston, MN 1,315 pop · 18.8 mi Chatfield, MN 2,693 pop · 26.0 mi Stewartville, MN 6,754 pop · 26.3 mi Osage, IA 3,578 pop · 26.7 mi St. Ansgar, IA 1,156 pop · 28.8 mi New Hampton, IA 3,462 pop · 30.2 mi Decorah, IA 7,597 pop · 31.9 mi Austin, MN 26,167 pop · 33.2 mi Charles City, IA 7,321 pop · 33.4 mi Eyota, MN 2,090 pop · 34.9 mi St. Charles, MN 4,021 pop · 36.3 mi
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