Columbus City, IA

Iowa

Columbus City is a small town in Iowa with a population of 306. Residents earn $82,500 per year, which is 10% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
306 Population 1,275/sq mi density
$82,500 Median Income $38,162 per capita
$104,400 Home Value $117,192 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$82,500 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,400 home value
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
3.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $82,500
10% higher than US avg
Home Value $104,400
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 3.4%
90% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.1%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.1%
75% lower than US avg

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

People

Population306
Median Age51.5 yrs
Density1,275/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 57%
Veterans7.0%

Economy

A+
Median Income$82,500
Per Capita$38,162
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty3.1%
County GDP$930M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,400
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$117,192

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.4%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.8 in/yr
Elevation729 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+3.4%
High School+73.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 29%
Commute28 min
Broadband77.6%
Libraries4

Is Columbus City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Columbus City receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Columbus City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Columbus City is $82,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Columbus City is $104,400, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

3.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 73.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Columbus City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.8 inches, including 31.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Columbus City has a population of 306 with a density of 1,275 people per square mile. The median age is 51.5 years, 32% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (57.2%).

Population

306
Total Population
1,275
People / sq mi
51.5yrs
Median Age
32% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.2%
Female 44.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Columbus City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only57.5%
27% below US avg
Spanish42.5%
217% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Columbus City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Columbus City is $82,500, which is 10% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Columbus City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$82,500
10% above US avg
Per Capita Income$38,162
Avg Weekly Wage$1,007
IRS Avg AGI$67,697

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.1%
75% below US avg
Establishments (County)281
County GDP$930M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare22
Retail24
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,750
21% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.2 min
Drive Alone69.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Columbus City is $104,400, 63% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $117,192.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,400
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$117,192

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied97.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,750
21% below US avg
Effective Rate2.63%
In Columbus City, 41.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 17.4% report depression. 30.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Columbus City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.1%
28% above US avg
Diabetes11.6%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure30.0%
Asthma8.8%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.4%
Physical Inactivity30.9%
Depression17.4%
Mental Distress15.6%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.8%
Checkup Rate74.3%
Premature Death6,584/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access59.0%
Healthcare Facilities22

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Columbus City has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average20°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.8 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall31.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation729 ft (222 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density1,275/sq mi
Coordinates41.2592°N, 91.3747°W
County FIPS19115
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 3.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (90% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 41-point margin. 77.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.8%
D 28.8%

Winner: Republican by 41 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+3.4%
90% below US avg
High School+73.0%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,275/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access77.6%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities22
Restaurants12
Retail Stores24

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.2 min
Drive Alone69.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Columbus City with another city: