Diagonal, IA

Iowa

Diagonal is a small town in Iowa with a population of 481. Residents earn $80,417 per year, which is 7% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
481 Population 529/sq mi density
$80,417 Median Income $21,470 per capita
$84,400 Home Value
$838 Median Rent 25.5% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$80,417 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$84,400 home value, $838/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $80,417
7% higher than US avg
Home Value $84,400
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.9%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $838
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.1%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.4%
49% lower than US avg

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

People

Population481
Median Age47.2 yrs
Density529/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 85%
Veterans7.9%

Economy

A
Median Income$80,417
Per Capita$21,470
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty6.4%
County GDP$234M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$84,400
Rent$838
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden25.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.0 in/yr
Elevation1,178 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.9%
High School+89.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute17 min
Broadband87.4%
Libraries1

Is Diagonal a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Diagonal receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Diagonal offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Diagonal is $80,417, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. Only 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Diagonal is $84,400, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $838 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Diagonal experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.0 inches, including 20.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Diagonal has a population of 481 with a density of 529 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 (84.8%), with 12.7% Hispanic.

Population

481
Total Population
529
People / sq mi
47.2yrs
Median Age
21% above US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.6%
Female 58.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Diagonal vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.2%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.8%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Diagonal vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Diagonal is $80,417, which is 7% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Diagonal vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$80,417
7% above US avg
Per Capita Income$21,470
Avg Weekly Wage$889
IRS Avg AGI$60,255

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.4%
49% below US avg
Establishments (County)182
County GDP$234M

Business (County)

Restaurants13
Healthcare11
Retail18
Manufacturing4

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,583
88% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.80%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.2 min
Drive Alone77.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Diagonal is $84,400, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $838 (28% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$84,400
70% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$838
28% below US avg
Rent Burden25.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,583
88% above US avg
Effective Rate7.80%
In Diagonal, 42.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 21.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.1%
31% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.8%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.3%
Physical Inactivity21.8%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress11.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.3%
Checkup Rate75.2%
Premature Death8,711/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access53.7%
Healthcare Facilities11

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Diagonal has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.6°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.0 inches
3% below US avg
Snowfall20.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,178 ft (359 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density529/sq mi
Coordinates40.8109°N, 94.3419°W
County FIPS19159
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.3-point margin. 87.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.1%
D 23.8%

Winner: Republican by 51.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.9%
53% below US avg
High School+89.9%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density529/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access87.4%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants13
Retail Stores18

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.2 min
Drive Alone77.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.6%

Nearby Cities

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