Cresco, IA

Iowa

Cresco is a small town in Iowa with a population of 3,901. Residents earn $60,769 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
3,901 Population 1,168/sq mi density
$60,769 Median Income $28,660 per capita
$105,200 Home Value $197,973 Zillow
$814 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
77 Violent Crime/100K 1,468 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$60,769 median income, 0.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$105,200 home value, $814/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
77 violent crimes/100K (80% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,769
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $105,200
63% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 77/100K
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.9%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $814
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.4%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.2%
94% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.1%
27% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,901
Median Age39.5 yrs
Density1,168/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,769
Per Capita$28,660
Unemployment0.2%
Poverty9.1%
County GDP$727M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$105,200
Rent$814
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$197,973

Crime

F
Violent77/100K
Property1,468/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault52/100K
Burglary361/100K

Health

Obesity37.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.0 in/yr

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.9%
High School+95.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute17 min
EV Stations2
Libraries3

Is Cresco a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cresco receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Cresco offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cresco is $60,769, 19% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.2%. 9.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cresco is $105,200, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $814 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Cresco is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 77 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,468 per 100,000, 25% below the national average.

Education

19.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Cresco has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.0 inches, including 40.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Cresco has a population of 3,901 with a density of 1,168 people per square mile. The median age is 39.5 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.3%), with 1.7% Hispanic.

Population

3,901
Total Population
1,168
People / sq mi
39.5yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
3.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.9%
Female 50.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Cresco vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cresco vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cresco is $60,769, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Cresco vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,769
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,660
Avg Weekly Wage$927
IRS Avg AGI$65,702

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.2%
94% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.1%
27% below US avg
Establishments (County)341
County GDP$727M

Business (County)

Restaurants17
Healthcare22
Retail49
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,607
26% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.48%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.7 min
Work from Home9.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Cresco is $105,200, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $814 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $197,973.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$105,200
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$197,973

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$814
30% 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-Occupied71.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,607
26% below US avg
Effective Rate2.48%
In Cresco, 37.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.4%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure30.2%
Asthma10.1%
COPD6.1%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.7%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress12.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.0%
Checkup Rate74.6%
Premature Death6,255/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access76.5%
Healthcare Facilities22
Cresco has a violent crime rate of 77 per 100,000 residents, 80% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,468 per 100,000 (25% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent77.3/100K
80% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape25.8/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault51.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,467.9/100K
25% below US avg
Burglary360.6/100K
Theft1,030.1/100K
Vehicle Theft77.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Cresco has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-10°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.0°F
17% below US avg
January Average15°F (-10°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.0 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall40.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area3.3 sq mi (8.7 km²)
Population Density1,168/sq mi
Coordinates43.3717°N, 92.1163°W
County FIPS19089
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 19.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.3%
D 33.5%

Winner: Republican by 31.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.9%
41% below US avg
High School+95.1%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,168/sq mi
Total Area3.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities22
Restaurants17
Retail Stores49

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.7 min
Work from Home9.0%

Nearby Cities

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