Clarinda, IA

Iowa

Clarinda is a small city in Iowa with a population of 5,366. Residents earn $50,644 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,366 Population 1,052/sq mi density
$50,644 Median Income $24,862 per capita
$112,200 Home Value $125,460 Zillow
$653 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
345 Violent Crime/100K 2,852 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$50,644 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$112,200 home value, $653/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
345 violent crimes/100K (9% below avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,644
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $112,200
60% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 345/100K
9% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.7%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent $653
44% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.3%
38% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.2%
34% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,366
Median Age40.9 yrs
Density1,052/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,644
Per Capita$24,862
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty8.2%
County GDP$811M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$112,200
Rent$653
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$125,460

Crime

F
Violent345/100K
Property2,852/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault309/100K
Burglary618/100K

Health

Obesity44.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.7%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.7 in/yr
Elevation1,026 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.7%
High School+90.8%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute17 min
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Clarinda a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clarinda receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Clarinda has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Clarinda is $50,644, 33% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clarinda is $112,200, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $653 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Clarinda is below the national average at 345 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,852 per 100,000, 46% above the national average.

Education

13.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Clarinda experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.7 inches, including 22.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Clarinda has a population of 5,366 with a density of 1,052 people per square mile. The median age is 40.9 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.8%), with 2% Hispanic, 4.5% Black.

Population

5,366
Total Population
1,052
People / sq mi
40.9yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
5.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.4%
Female 44.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Clarinda vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.2%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.8%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Clarinda vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clarinda is $50,644, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Clarinda vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,644
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,862
Avg Weekly Wage$970
IRS Avg AGI$66,332

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.2%
34% below US avg
Establishments (County)482
County GDP$811M

Business (County)

Restaurants32
Healthcare56
Retail61
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,347
4% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.6 min
Work from Home5.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Clarinda is $112,200, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $653 (44% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $125,460.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$112,200
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$125,460

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$653
44% 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-Occupied66.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,347
4% below US avg
Effective Rate2.98%
In Clarinda, 44.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.7% report depression. 28.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.3%
38% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure36.0%
Asthma10.1%
COPD7.8%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.7%
Physical Inactivity28.9%
Depression20.7%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Checkup Rate74.5%
Premature Death7,340/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access73.1%
Healthcare Facilities56
Clarinda has a violent crime rate of 345 per 100,000 residents, 9% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,852 per 100,000 (46% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent345.1/100K
9% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape36.3/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault308.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,852.0/100K
46% above US avg
Burglary617.6/100K
Theft2,107.2/100K
Vehicle Theft127.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Clarinda has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.3°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.7 inches
4% below US avg
Snowfall22.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,026 ft (313 m)
Area5.1 sq mi (13.2 km²)
Population Density1,052/sq mi
Coordinates40.7377°N, 95.0337°W
County FIPS19145
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 13.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.6%
D 28.2%

Winner: Republican by 42.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.7%
59% below US avg
High School+90.8%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,052/sq mi
Total Area5.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities56
Restaurants32
Retail Stores61

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.6 min
Work from Home5.3%

Nearby Cities

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