Dickens, IA

Iowa

Dickens is a small town in Iowa with a population of 134. Residents earn $92,778 per year, which is 23% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
134 Population 160/sq mi density
$92,778 Median Income $33,178 per capita
$98,000 Home Value $224,300 Zillow
$625 Median Rent 15.0% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$92,778 median income, 0.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$98,000 home value, $625/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $92,778
23% higher than US avg
Home Value $98,000
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.2%
85% lower than US avg
Median Rent $625
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.0%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.9%
75% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.5%
64% lower than US avg

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

People

Population134
Median Age49.5 yrs
Density160/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans10.8%

Economy

A+
Median Income$92,778
Per Capita$33,178
Unemployment0.9%
Poverty4.5%
County GDP$1,540M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$98,000
Rent$625
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$224,300
Housing Units65
Rent Burden15.0%

Health

Obesity34.0%
Uninsured6.6%
Smoking15.5%
Depression20.9%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain31.0 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,346 ft (410 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.2%
High School+91.7%
Graduate+0.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute23 min
Broadband52.0%
Libraries5

Is Dickens a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dickens receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Dickens offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dickens is $92,778, 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 0.9%. Only 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dickens is $98,000, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $625 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Dickens experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 31.0 inches, including 43.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Dickens has a population of 134 with a density of 160 people per square mile. The median age is 49.5 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97%).

Population

134
Total Population
160
People / sq mi
49.5yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56%
Female 44%

Race & Ethnicity

Dickens vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.9%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.1%
62% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dickens vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dickens is $92,778, which is 23% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Dickens vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$92,778
23% above US avg
Per Capita Income$33,178
Avg Weekly Wage$1,029
IRS Avg AGI$77,076

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.9%
75% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.5%
64% below US avg
Establishments (County)742
County GDP$1,540M

Business (County)

Restaurants48
Healthcare57
Retail97
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,811
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.91%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.6 min
Drive Alone84.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Dickens is $98,000, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $625 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $224,300.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$98,000
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$224,300

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$625
46% below US avg
Rent Burden15.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied96.2%
Housing Units65
Median Year Built1972

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,811
37% above US avg
Effective Rate4.91%
In Dickens, 34.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.6% of residents lack health insurance. 15.5% are current smokers. 20.9% report depression. 22.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.0%
6% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure29.6%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.7%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.5%
11% above US avg
Binge Drinking24.0%
Physical Inactivity22.8%
Depression20.9%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress11.6%
Short Sleep30.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.2%
Uninsured6.6%
23% below US avg
Checkup Rate73.8%
Dental Visits70.5%
Premature Death7,924/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access74.6%
Healthcare Facilities57
Dickens has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.0 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.1°F
15% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.0 inches
18% below US avg
Snowfall43.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,346 ft (410 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.2 km²)
Population Density160/sq mi
Coordinates43.1338°N, 95.0222°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19041
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.2-point margin. 52.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71%
D 27.8%

Winner: Republican by 43.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.2%
85% below US avg
High School+91.7%
Graduate Degree+0.9%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density160/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access52.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities57
Restaurants48
Retail Stores97

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.6 min
Drive Alone84.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Spencer, IA 11,393 pop · 6.6 mi Graettinger, IA 1,038 pop · 15.4 mi Milford, IA 3,315 pop · 15.7 mi Emmetsburg, IA 3,651 pop · 17.3 mi Spirit Lake, IA 5,469 pop · 20.1 mi Estherville, IA 5,865 pop · 20.7 mi Laurens, IA 1,234 pop · 21.7 mi Hartley, IA 1,588 pop · 23.1 mi Lake Park, IA 1,191 pop · 26.5 mi Sanborn, IA 1,510 pop · 32.1 mi Pocahontas, IA 1,536 pop · 32.8 mi Jackson, MN 3,298 pop · 34.0 mi Alta, IA 2,344 pop · 35.0 mi Storm Lake, IA 11,275 pop · 35.0 mi
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