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Colwell, IA

Iowa

Colwell is a small town in Iowa with a population of 56. Residents earn $46,250 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
56 Population 329/sq mi density
$46,250 Median Income $76,713 per capita
$103,100 Home Value
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$46,250 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$103,100 home value
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,250
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $103,100
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.4%
66% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 35.7%
188% higher than US avg

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

People

Population56
Median Age32.5 yrs
Density329/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans42.0%

Economy

C+
Median Income$46,250
Per Capita$76,713
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty35.7%
County GDP$1,165M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$103,100
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units33
Rent Burden25.9%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.7 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,147 ft (350 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.4%
High School+94.3%
Graduate+4.5%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute23 min
Broadband24.0%
Libraries5

Is Colwell a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Colwell receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Colwell offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Colwell is $46,250, 38% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 35.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Colwell is $103,100, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Colwell experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.7 inches, including 37.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Colwell has a population of 56 with a density of 329 people per square mile. The median age is 32.5 years, 16% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.4%), with 3.6% Hispanic.

Population

56
Total Population
329
People / sq mi
32.5yrs
Median Age
16% below US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Colwell vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.7%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.3%
75% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Colwell vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Colwell is $46,250, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 35.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Colwell vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,250
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$76,713
Avg Weekly Wage$1,057
IRS Avg AGI$69,922

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate35.7%
188% above US avg
Establishments (County)478
County GDP$1,165M

Business (County)

Restaurants23
Healthcare45
Retail57
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,764
8% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.65%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.1 min
Drive Alone78.1%
Public Transit21.9%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Colwell is $103,100, 63% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$103,100
63% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden25.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.7%
Housing Units33
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,764
8% above US avg
Effective Rate3.65%
Colwell has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.7 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.7 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall37.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,147 ft (350 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density329/sq mi
Coordinates43.1572°N, 92.5916°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19067
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.7-point margin. 24.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.2%
D 36.5%

Winner: Republican by 25.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.4%
66% below US avg
High School+94.3%
Graduate Degree+4.5%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density329/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access24.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities45
Restaurants23
Retail Stores57

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.1 min
Drive Alone78.1%
Public Transit21.9%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Charles City, IA 7,321 pop · 7.6 mi Osage, IA 3,578 pop · 14.1 mi Nashua, IA 1,634 pop · 14.5 mi New Hampton, IA 3,462 pop · 15.6 mi Greene, IA 1,390 pop · 21.0 mi Nora Springs, IA 1,394 pop · 21.1 mi St. Ansgar, IA 1,156 pop · 22.5 mi Fredericksburg, IA 1,040 pop · 24.0 mi Clarksville, IA 1,248 pop · 26.4 mi Cresco, IA 3,901 pop · 28.1 mi Tripoli, IA 1,256 pop · 29.4 mi Allison, IA 1,028 pop · 29.8 mi Mason City, IA 27,135 pop · 30.7 mi Waverly, IA 10,446 pop · 30.7 mi
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