Dows, IA

Iowa

Dows is a small town in Iowa with a population of 544. Residents earn $58,750 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
544 Population 706/sq mi density
$58,750 Median Income $32,886 per capita
$56,200 Home Value $113,483 Zillow
$658 Median Rent 14.3% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$58,750 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$56,200 home value, $658/mo rent
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,750
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $56,200
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.2%
43% lower than US avg
Median Rent $658
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.5%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.2%
42% lower than US avg

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

People

Population544
Median Age37.0 yrs
Density706/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans14.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$58,750
Per Capita$32,886
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty7.2%
County GDP$1,247M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$56,200
Rent$658
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$113,483
Rent Burden14.3%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.1%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Elevation1,153 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.2%
High School+93.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 31%
Commute29 min
Broadband77.7%
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is Dows a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dows 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 below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Dows offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dows is $58,750, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. Only 7.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dows is $56,200, 80% 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 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

19.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Dows experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches, including 31.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Dows has a population of 544 with a density of 706 people per square mile. The median age is 37.0 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.3%).

Population

544
Total Population
706
People / sq mi
37.0yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.7%
Female 49.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Dows vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.6%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.4%
82% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dows vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dows is $58,750, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Dows vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,750
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,886
Avg Weekly Wage$1,126
IRS Avg AGI$67,568

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.2%
42% below US avg
Establishments (County)468
County GDP$1,247M

Business (County)

Restaurants28
Healthcare35
Retail46
Manufacturing22

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,919
12% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.97%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.1 min
Drive Alone87.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Dows is $56,200, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $658 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $113,483.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$56,200
80% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$113,483

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$658
43% below US avg
Rent Burden14.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,919
12% above US avg
Effective Rate6.97%
In Dows, 39.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.1% report depression. 24.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.5%
23% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma9.7%
COPD5.8%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity24.3%
Depression20.1%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress12.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.5%
Checkup Rate74.8%
Premature Death6,879/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access86.5%
Healthcare Facilities35

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Dows has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.0°F
13% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.3 inches
10% below US avg
Snowfall31.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,153 ft (351 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density706/sq mi
Coordinates42.6584°N, 93.5020°W
County FIPS19197
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 19.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (43% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 36.5-point margin. 77.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.5%
D 31%

Winner: Republican by 36.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.2%
43% below US avg
High School+93.6%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density706/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access77.7%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities35
Restaurants28
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.1 min
Drive Alone87.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.6%

Nearby Cities

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