Dexter, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Dexter is a small town in Iowa with a population of 781. Residents earn $83,214 per year, which is 11% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
781 Population 625/sq mi density
$83,214 Median Income $34,816 per capita
$157,200 Home Value $229,873 Zillow
$867 Median Rent 13.9% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$83,214 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$157,200 home value, $867/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
21.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $83,214
11% higher than US avg
Home Value $157,200
44% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.9%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $867
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.4%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.1%
75% lower than US avg

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

People

Population781
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density625/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans10.9%

Economy

A+
Median Income$83,214
Per Capita$34,816
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty3.1%
County GDP$11,107M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$157,200
Rent$867
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$229,873
Rent Burden13.9%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.4%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.1 in/yr
Elevation1,148 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.9%
High School+98.7%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute31 min
Broadband88.7%
Libraries12

Is Dexter a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dexter receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Dexter stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dexter is $83,214, 11% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.1% 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 Dexter is $157,200, 44% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $867 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 98.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Dexter experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Dexter has a population of 781 with a density of 625 people per square mile. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.5%), with 1.9% Hispanic.

Population

781
Total Population
625
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.7%
Female 48.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Dexter vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dexter vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dexter is $83,214, which is 11% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Dexter vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$83,214
11% above US avg
Per Capita Income$34,816
Avg Weekly Wage$1,468
IRS Avg AGI$126,108

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.1%
75% 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 Rate4.50%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.9 min
Drive Alone74.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Dexter is $157,200, 44% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $867 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $229,873.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$157,200
44% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$229,873

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$867
25% below US avg
Rent Burden13.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,070
102% above US avg
Effective Rate4.50%
In Dexter, 33.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.4% report depression. 20.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.4%
4% above US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure29.0%
Asthma9.5%
COPD4.9%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.1%
Physical Inactivity20.1%
Depression20.4%
Mental Distress15.7%
Physical Distress10.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Checkup Rate74.6%
Premature Death4,244/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Dexter has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.4°F
10% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.1 inches
2% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,148 ft (350 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density625/sq mi
Coordinates41.5154°N, 94.2276°W
County FIPS19049
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 4.8-point margin. 88.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 51.7%
D 46.9%

Winner: Republican by 4.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.9%
35% below US avg
High School+98.7%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density625/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.7%
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities263
Restaurants211
Retail Stores299

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.9 min
Drive Alone74.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.4%

Nearby Cities

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