Creston, IA

Iowa

Creston is a small city in Iowa with a population of 7,466. Residents earn $50,752 per year, which is 32% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
7,466 Population 1,439/sq mi density
$50,752 Median Income $28,905 per capita
$112,600 Home Value $148,825 Zillow
$672 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
266 Violent Crime/100K 1,872 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$50,752 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$112,600 home value, $672/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
266 violent crimes/100K (30% below avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,752
32% lower than US avg
Home Value $112,600
60% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 266/100K
30% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.9%
29% lower than US avg
Median Rent $672
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.5%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.1%
6% higher than US avg

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

People

Population7,466
Median Age39.7 yrs
Density1,439/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,752
Per Capita$28,905
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty13.1%
County GDP$965M
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$112,600
Rent$672
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$148,825

Crime

F
Violent266/100K
Property1,872/100K
Murder12.7/100K
Assault253/100K
Burglary607/100K

Health

Obesity38.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.3%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Elevation1,290 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.9%
High School+93.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 31%
Commute12 min
Libraries1

Is Creston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Creston 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. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Creston offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Creston is $50,752, 32% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. 13.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Creston is $112,600, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $672 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Creston is below the national average at 266 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,872 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Creston experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Creston has a population of 7,466 with a density of 1,439 people per square mile. The median age is 39.7 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.9%).

Population

7,466
Total Population
1,439
People / sq mi
39.7yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
5.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.1%
Female 52.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Creston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.3%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.7%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Creston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Creston is $50,752, which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Creston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,752
32% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,905
Avg Weekly Wage$962
IRS Avg AGI$60,108

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.1%
6% above US avg
Establishments (County)459
County GDP$965M

Business (County)

Restaurants27
Healthcare34
Retail46
Manufacturing10

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,256
22% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.2 min
Work from Home2.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Creston is $112,600, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $672 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $148,825.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$112,600
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$148,825

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$672
42% 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-Occupied65.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,256
22% above US avg
Effective Rate3.78%
In Creston, 38.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.3% report depression. 26.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.5%
20% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure32.7%
Asthma10.5%
COPD7.0%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.3%
Physical Inactivity26.5%
Depression22.3%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress13.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.3%
Checkup Rate75.7%
Premature Death8,896/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access83.0%
Healthcare Facilities34
Creston has a violent crime rate of 266 per 100,000 residents, 30% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,872 per 100,000 (4% below US avg). The murder rate is 12.7 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent265.7/100K
30% below US avg
Murder12.7/100K
101% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault253.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,872.5/100K
4% below US avg
Burglary607.3/100K
Theft1,227.2/100K
Vehicle Theft38.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Creston has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,290 ft (393 m)
Area5.2 sq mi (13.4 km²)
Population Density1,439/sq mi
Coordinates41.0603°N, 94.3647°W
County FIPS19175
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 36.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.4%
D 31.3%

Winner: Republican by 36.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.9%
29% below US avg
High School+93.9%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,439/sq mi
Total Area5.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities34
Restaurants27
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.2 min
Work from Home2.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Creston with another city: