Collins, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Collins is a small town in Iowa with a population of 493. Residents earn $67,292 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
493 Population 1,006/sq mi density
$67,292 Median Income $31,463 per capita
$130,700 Home Value $255,897 Zillow
$883 Median Rent 19.5% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$67,292 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$130,700 home value, $883/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,292
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $130,700
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.4%
51% lower than US avg
Median Rent $883
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.8%
5% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.5%
23% lower than US avg

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

People

Population493
Median Age33.0 yrs
Density1,006/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans7.2%

Economy

B+
Median Income$67,292
Per Capita$31,463
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty9.5%
County GDP$1,523M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$130,700
Rent$883
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$255,897
Rent Burden19.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.1 in/yr
Elevation1,001 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.4%
High School+93.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute31 min
Broadband90.7%
Libraries8

Is Collins a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Collins receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Collins offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Collins is $67,292, 10% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Collins is $130,700, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $883 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Collins experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.1 inches, including 28.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Collins has a population of 493 with a density of 1,006 people per square mile. The median age is 33.0 years, 15% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.5%).

Population

493
Total Population
1,006
People / sq mi
33.0yrs
Median Age
15% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.2%
Female 53.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Collins vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.6%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.4%
97% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Collins vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Collins is $67,292, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Collins vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,292
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,463
Avg Weekly Wage$960
IRS Avg AGI$72,700

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate9.5%
23% below US avg
Establishments (County)984
County GDP$1,523M

Business (County)

Restaurants63
Healthcare66
Retail96
Manufacturing37

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,099
17% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.14%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.5 min
Drive Alone83.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Collins is $130,700, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $883 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $255,897.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$130,700
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$255,897

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$883
24% below US avg
Rent Burden19.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied74.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,099
17% above US avg
Effective Rate3.14%
In Collins, 33.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.8% report depression. 20.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.8%
5% above US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure29.0%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.7%
Physical Inactivity20.5%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress11.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Checkup Rate75.3%
Premature Death7,112/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access76.5%
Healthcare Facilities66

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Collins has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.1 inches
8% below US avg
Snowfall28.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,001 ft (305 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density1,006/sq mi
Coordinates41.9024°N, 93.3081°W
County FIPS19099
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 16.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (51% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.6-point margin. 90.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63%
D 35.4%

Winner: Republican by 27.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.4%
51% below US avg
High School+93.0%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,006/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access90.7%
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities66
Restaurants63
Retail Stores96

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.5 min
Drive Alone83.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Collins with another city: