Columbus Junction, IA

Iowa

Columbus Junction is a small town in Iowa with a population of 2,129. Residents earn $76,518 per year, which is 2% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
2,129 Population 990/sq mi density
$76,518 Median Income $30,420 per capita
$114,200 Home Value $155,864 Zillow
$591 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$76,518 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$114,200 home value, $591/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $76,518
2% higher than US avg
Home Value $114,200
59% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.1%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $591
49% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.1%
42% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.6%
47% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,129
Median Age34.4 yrs
Density990/mi²
Male / Female55% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 56%

Economy

A
Median Income$76,518
Per Capita$30,420
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty6.6%
County GDP$930M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$114,200
Rent$591
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$155,864

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.4%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.8 in/yr
Elevation630 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.1%
High School+71.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 29%
Commute25 min
Libraries4

Is Columbus Junction a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Columbus Junction receives an overall livability score of 3.9 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 Junction offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Columbus Junction is $76,518, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.1%. Only 6.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Columbus Junction is $114,200, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $591 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

17.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 71.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Columbus Junction 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 Junction has a population of 2,129 with a density of 990 people per square mile. The median age is 34.4 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (55.8%), with 3% Hispanic, 1.5% Black.

Population

2,129
Total Population
990
People / sq mi
34.4yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
2.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.5%
Female 45.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Columbus Junction vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only51.4%
35% below US avg
Spanish48.6%
263% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Columbus Junction vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Columbus Junction is $76,518, which is 2% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Columbus Junction vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,518
2% above US avg
Per Capita Income$30,420
Avg Weekly Wage$1,007
IRS Avg AGI$67,697

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.6%
47% 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 Rate2.41%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.3 min
Work from Home4.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Columbus Junction is $114,200, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $591 (49% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $155,864.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$114,200
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$155,864

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$591
49% 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-Occupied80.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,750
21% below US avg
Effective Rate2.41%
In Columbus Junction, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 17.4% report depression. 31.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes11.4%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure29.8%
Asthma8.9%
COPD5.4%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity31.0%
Depression17.4%
Mental Distress15.5%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Checkup Rate74.8%
Premature Death6,584/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Columbus Junction 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

Elevation630 ft (192 m)
Area2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²)
Population Density990/sq mi
Coordinates41.2789°N, 91.3639°W
County FIPS19115
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 17.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 41-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.8%
D 28.8%

Winner: Republican by 41 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.1%
49% below US avg
High School+71.2%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density990/sq mi
Total Area2.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities22
Restaurants12
Retail Stores24

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.3 min
Work from Home4.4%

Nearby Cities

Compare Columbus Junction with another city: