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Curlew, IA

Iowa

Curlew is a small town in Iowa with a population of 43. Residents earn $63,750 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
43 Population 57/sq mi density
$63,750 Median Income $31,677 per capita
$47,000 Home Value
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$63,750 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$47,000 home value
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,750
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $47,000
83% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.6%
83% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.1%
10% lower than US avg

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

People

Population43
Median Age61.3 yrs
Density57/mi²
Male / Female54% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans36.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$63,750
Per Capita$31,677
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty11.1%
County GDP$642M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$47,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units37
Rent Burden23.1%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain32.8 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,242 ft (379 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.6%
High School+83.3%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute28 min
Broadband22.0%
Libraries9

Is Curlew a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Curlew receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Curlew offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Curlew is $63,750, 15% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 11.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Curlew is $47,000, 83% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 0.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Curlew experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 32.8 inches, including 38.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Curlew has a population of 43 with a density of 57 people per square mile. The median age is 61.3 years, 58% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

43
Total Population
57
People / sq mi
61.3yrs
Median Age
58% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.5%
Female 46.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Curlew vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Curlew vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Curlew is $63,750, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Curlew vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,750
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,677
Avg Weekly Wage$1,015
IRS Avg AGI$71,570

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.1%
10% below US avg
Establishments (County)265
County GDP$642M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare17
Retail26
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.2 min
Drive Alone80.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Curlew is $47,000, 83% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$47,000
83% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden23.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.4%
Housing Units37
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Rate6.06%
Curlew has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.8 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) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.8 inches
14% below US avg
Snowfall38.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,242 ft (379 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density57/sq mi
Coordinates42.9797°N, 94.7378°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19151
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 5.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (83% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54-point margin. 22.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.3%
D 22.3%

Winner: Republican by 54 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.6%
83% below US avg
High School+83.3%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density57/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access22.0%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities17
Restaurants12
Retail Stores26

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.2 min
Drive Alone80.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.7%

Nearby Cities

Emmetsburg, IA 3,651 pop · 9.8 mi Laurens, IA 1,234 pop · 10.7 mi Pocahontas, IA 1,536 pop · 17.2 mi Graettinger, IA 1,038 pop · 17.8 mi Spencer, IA 11,393 pop · 23.9 mi St. Joseph, MO 71,542 pop · 26.2 mi Algona, IA 5,414 pop · 26.4 mi Estherville, IA 5,865 pop · 29.4 mi Humboldt, IA 4,761 pop · 31.5 mi Milford, IA 3,315 pop · 32.4 mi Manson, IA 1,653 pop · 32.7 mi Storm Lake, IA 11,275 pop · 32.9 mi Spirit Lake, IA 5,469 pop · 35.6 mi Alta, IA 2,344 pop · 35.7 mi
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