De Soto, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

De Soto is a small town in Iowa with a population of 943. Residents earn $92,500 per year, which is 23% above the national average.

4.4 /5.0
A Great
943 Population 502/sq mi density
$92,500 Median Income $36,125 per capita
$210,500 Home Value $254,035 Zillow
$933 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$92,500 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$210,500 home value, $933/mo rent
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
29.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $92,500
23% higher than US avg
Home Value $210,500
25% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 29.5%
12% lower than US avg
Median Rent $933
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.3%
2% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population943
Median Age34.4 yrs
Density502/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A+
Median Income$92,500
Per Capita$36,125
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$11,107M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$210,500
Rent$933
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$254,035

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity31.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.7%
Heart Disease4.3%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.1 in/yr
Elevation973 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+29.5%
High School+94.5%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute31 min
Libraries12

Is De Soto a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, De Soto receives an overall livability score of 4.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. De Soto stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in De Soto is $92,500, 23% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in De Soto is $210,500, 25% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $933 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

29.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

De Soto experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

De Soto has a population of 943 with a density of 502 people per square mile. The median age is 34.4 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.7%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

943
Total Population
502
People / sq mi
34.4yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.9%
Female 53.1%

Race & Ethnicity

De Soto vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.6%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.4%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

De Soto vs U.S. Average

The median household income in De Soto is $92,500, which is 23% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: De Soto vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$92,500
23% above US avg
Per Capita Income$36,125
Avg Weekly Wage$1,468
IRS Avg AGI$126,108

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,600
County GDP$11,107M

Business (County)

Restaurants211
Healthcare263
Retail299
Manufacturing37

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,070
102% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.7 min
Work from Home15.1%

Walkability

The median home value in De Soto is $210,500, 25% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $933 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $254,035.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$210,500
25% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$254,035
Median List Price$248,375

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$248,375
$/Sq Ft$220
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio99.0%
Price Drops28.6%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$933
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-Occupied87.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,070
102% above US avg
Effective Rate3.36%
In De Soto, 31.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 19.7% report depression. 17.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: De Soto vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.3%
2% below US avg
Diabetes7.6%
Heart Disease4.3%
High Blood Pressure27.4%
Asthma9.3%
COPD4.0%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.5%
Physical Inactivity17.0%
Depression19.7%
Mental Distress14.6%
Physical Distress9.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.5%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death4,244/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.5/10
Exercise Access68.5%
Healthcare Facilities263

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

De Soto has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average48.9°F
9% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.1 inches
5% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation973 ft (297 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density502/sq mi
Coordinates41.5378°N, 94.0100°W
County FIPS19049
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 29.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (12% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 4.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 51.7%
D 46.9%

Winner: Republican by 4.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+29.5%
12% below US avg
High School+94.5%
School Test Score5.73
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density502/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities263
Restaurants211
Retail Stores299

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.7 min
Work from Home15.1%

Nearby Cities

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