Dakota City, IA

Iowa

Dakota City is a small town in Iowa with a population of 887. Residents earn $66,111 per year, which is 12% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
887 Population 1,215/sq mi density
$66,111 Median Income $34,556 per capita
$119,300 Home Value $129,731 Zillow
$935 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$66,111 median income, 6.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$119,300 home value, $935/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,111
12% lower than US avg
Home Value $119,300
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.7%
77% lower than US avg
Median Rent $935
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.2%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.3%
75% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.1%
51% lower than US avg

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

People

Population887
Median Age40.7 yrs
Density1,215/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B+
Median Income$66,111
Per Capita$34,556
Unemployment6.3%
Poverty6.1%
County GDP$598M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$119,300
Rent$935
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$129,731

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.8 in/yr
Elevation1,123 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.7%
High School+90.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 24%
Commute16 min
Libraries4

Is Dakota City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dakota City receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. Dakota City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dakota City is $66,111, 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 6.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dakota City is $119,300, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $935 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

7.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Dakota City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Dakota City has a population of 887 with a density of 1,215 people per square mile. The median age is 40.7 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.5%).

Population

887
Total Population
1,215
People / sq mi
40.7yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.1%
Female 49.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Dakota City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.0%
15% above US avg
Spanish10.0%
25% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dakota City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dakota City is $66,111, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Dakota City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,111
12% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,556
Avg Weekly Wage$1,014
IRS Avg AGI$86,410

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.3%
75% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.1%
51% below US avg
Establishments (County)367
County GDP$598M

Business (County)

Restaurants20
Healthcare21
Retail38
Manufacturing24

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,919
41% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.12%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.2 min
Work from Home14.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Dakota City is $119,300, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $935 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $129,731.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$119,300
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$129,731

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$935
20% 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-Occupied77.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,919
41% above US avg
Effective Rate4.12%
In Dakota City, 41.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 24.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Dakota City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.2%
28% above US avg
Diabetes9.9%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.1%
Physical Inactivity24.2%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.0%
Checkup Rate74.8%
Premature Death7,220/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access63.8%
Healthcare Facilities21

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Dakota City 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 35.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.8°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.8 inches
6% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,123 ft (342 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density1,215/sq mi
Coordinates42.7238°N, 94.1971°W
County FIPS19091
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 7.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (77% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.4%
D 24.4%

Winner: Republican by 50 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.7%
77% below US avg
High School+90.1%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,215/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities21
Restaurants20
Retail Stores38

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.2 min
Work from Home14.9%

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