Clarion, IA

Iowa

Clarion is a small town in Iowa with a population of 2,775. Residents earn $58,702 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
2,775 Population 826/sq mi density
$58,702 Median Income $40,614 per capita
$107,600 Home Value $149,594 Zillow
$764 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$58,702 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$107,600 home value, $764/mo rent
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,702
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $107,600
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.4%
25% lower than US avg
Median Rent $764
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.0%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.2%
47% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,775
Median Age38.3 yrs
Density826/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 85%

Economy

B+
Median Income$58,702
Per Capita$40,614
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty18.2%
County GDP$1,247M
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$107,600
Rent$764
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$149,594

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.4%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Elevation1,169 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.4%
High School+90.4%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 31%
Commute12 min
Libraries5

Is Clarion a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clarion receives an overall livability score of 3.8 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 an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Clarion offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Clarion is $58,702, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. The poverty rate of 18.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clarion is $107,600, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $764 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

25.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Clarion experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches, including 31.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Clarion has a population of 2,775 with a density of 826 people per square mile. The median age is 38.3 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85%), with 2.6% Hispanic.

Population

2,775
Total Population
826
People / sq mi
38.3yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
3.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.4%
Female 49.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Clarion vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.3%
11% above US avg
Spanish12.7%
5% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Clarion vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clarion is $58,702, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Clarion vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,702
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$40,614
Avg Weekly Wage$1,126
IRS Avg AGI$67,568

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.2%
47% above US avg
Establishments (County)468
County GDP$1,247M

Business (County)

Restaurants28
Healthcare35
Retail46
Manufacturing22

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,919
12% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.64%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.0 min
Work from Home5.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Clarion is $107,600, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $764 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $149,594.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$107,600
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$149,594

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$764
34% 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-Occupied66.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,919
12% above US avg
Effective Rate3.64%
In Clarion, 40.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.4% report depression. 25.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.0%
25% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure30.0%
Asthma9.9%
COPD6.1%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.2%
Physical Inactivity25.4%
Depression20.4%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress12.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Checkup Rate75.4%
Premature Death6,879/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access86.5%
Healthcare Facilities35

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Clarion has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.0°F
13% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.3 inches
10% below US avg
Snowfall31.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,169 ft (356 m)
Area3.4 sq mi (8.7 km²)
Population Density826/sq mi
Coordinates42.7320°N, 93.7298°W
County FIPS19197
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 25.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (25% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 36.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.5%
D 31%

Winner: Republican by 36.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.4%
25% below US avg
High School+90.4%
School Test Score5.73
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density826/sq mi
Total Area3.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities35
Restaurants28
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.0 min
Work from Home5.0%

Nearby Cities

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