Dayton, IA

Iowa

Dayton is a small town in Iowa with a population of 789. Residents earn $67,396 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
789 Population 928/sq mi density
$67,396 Median Income $42,425 per capita
$106,900 Home Value $141,498 Zillow
$542 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$67,396 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$106,900 home value, $542/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,396
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $106,900
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.5%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $542
53% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.5%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.5%
88% lower than US avg

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

People

Population789
Median Age47.2 yrs
Density928/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

A
Median Income$67,396
Per Capita$42,425
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty1.5%
County GDP$2,759M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$106,900
Rent$542
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$141,498

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.3 in/yr
Elevation1,128 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.5%
High School+96.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute27 min
Libraries9

Is Dayton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dayton receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Dayton stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dayton is $67,396, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. Only 1.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dayton is $106,900, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $542 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Dayton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.3 inches, including 31.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Dayton has a population of 789 with a density of 928 people per square mile. The median age is 47.2 years, 21% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.1%), with 1.4% Black.

Population

789
Total Population
928
People / sq mi
47.2yrs
Median Age
21% above US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Dayton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.8%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.2%
99% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dayton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dayton is $67,396, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Dayton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,396
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$42,425
Avg Weekly Wage$1,091
IRS Avg AGI$64,898

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.5%
88% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,198
County GDP$2,759M

Business (County)

Restaurants82
Healthcare126
Retail140
Manufacturing40

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,372
53% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.03%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.0 min
Work from Home3.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Dayton is $106,900, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $542 (53% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $141,498.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$106,900
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$141,498

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$542
53% 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-Occupied70.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,372
53% above US avg
Effective Rate5.03%
In Dayton, 40.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.7% report depression. 25.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.5%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.3%
Physical Inactivity25.0%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress12.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.7%
Checkup Rate75.8%
Premature Death10,249/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access83.6%
Healthcare Facilities126

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Dayton has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.8°F
11% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.3 inches
7% below US avg
Snowfall31.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,128 ft (344 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.2 km²)
Population Density928/sq mi
Coordinates42.2622°N, 94.0711°W
County FIPS19187
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65%
D 33.8%

Winner: Republican by 31.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.5%
36% below US avg
High School+96.1%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density928/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities126
Restaurants82
Retail Stores140

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.0 min
Work from Home3.9%

Nearby Cities

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