Choose Country

Defiance, IA

Iowa

Defiance is a small town in Iowa with a population of 207. Residents earn $51,458 per year, which is 32% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
207 Population 559/sq mi density
$51,458 Median Income $36,328 per capita
$84,300 Home Value $199,681 Zillow
$658 Median Rent 9.0% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$51,458 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$84,300 home value, $658/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $51,458
32% lower than US avg
Home Value $84,300
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.3%
78% lower than US avg
Median Rent $658
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.9%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.8%
52% higher than US avg

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

People

Population207
Median Age48.5 yrs
Density559/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 91%
Veterans8.3%

Economy

B
Median Income$51,458
Per Capita$36,328
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty18.8%
County GDP$1,051M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$84,300
Rent$658
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$199,681
Housing Units96
Rent Burden9.0%

Health

Obesity36.9%
Uninsured7.6%
Smoking14.1%
Depression20.7%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,269 ft (387 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.3%
High School+90.9%
Graduate+1.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute22 min
Broadband92.0%
Libraries3

Is Defiance a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Defiance receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Defiance offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Defiance is $51,458, 32% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. The poverty rate of 18.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Defiance is $84,300, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $658 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

7.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Defiance experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches, including 30.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Defiance has a population of 207 with a density of 559 people per square mile. The median age is 48.5 years, 25% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.8%), with 3.9% Hispanic.

Population

207
Total Population
559
People / sq mi
48.5yrs
Median Age
25% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.1%
Female 44.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Defiance vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.3%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.7%
65% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Defiance vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Defiance is $51,458, which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Defiance vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$51,458
32% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,328
Avg Weekly Wage$982
IRS Avg AGI$77,398

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.8%
52% above US avg
Establishments (County)444
County GDP$1,051M

Business (County)

Restaurants26
Healthcare42
Retail44
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,339
24% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.15%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.1 min
Drive Alone73.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Defiance is $84,300, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $658 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $199,681.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$84,300
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$199,681

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$658
43% below US avg
Rent Burden9.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.4%
Housing Units96
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,339
24% above US avg
Effective Rate5.15%
In Defiance, 36.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.6% of residents lack health insurance. 14.1% are current smokers. 20.7% report depression. 22.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.9%
15% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.3%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.1%
1% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.1%
Physical Inactivity22.9%
Depression20.7%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress11.3%
Short Sleep30.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.4%
Uninsured7.6%
12% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.5%
Dental Visits68.7%
Premature Death6,814/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access51.1%
Healthcare Facilities42
Defiance has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.3 inches
10% below US avg
Snowfall30.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,269 ft (387 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density559/sq mi
Coordinates41.8250°N, 95.3401°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19165
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 7.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (78% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43-point margin. 92.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.9%
D 27.9%

Winner: Republican by 43 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.3%
78% below US avg
High School+90.9%
Graduate Degree+1.3%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density559/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access92.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities42
Restaurants26
Retail Stores44

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.1 min
Drive Alone73.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.4%

Nearby Cities

Harlan, IA 4,896 pop · 12.1 mi Denison, IA 8,247 pop · 13.2 mi Dunlap, IA 1,318 pop · 13.6 mi Manning, IA 1,474 pop · 15.3 mi Woodbine, IA 1,418 pop · 20.1 mi Audubon, IA 2,069 pop · 22.5 mi Avoca, IA 1,369 pop · 23.6 mi Walnut, IA 1,339 pop · 24.0 mi Logan, IA 1,362 pop · 26.4 mi Neola, IA 1,098 pop · 29.5 mi Carroll, IA 10,261 pop · 29.8 mi Atlantic, IA 6,773 pop · 34.1 mi Coon Rapids, IA 1,403 pop · 34.2 mi Missouri Valley, IA 2,685 pop · 34.3 mi
Compare Defiance with another city: