At a Glance
Median Income
$58,750
$32,886 per capita
Home Value
$56,200
Zillow: $115,853
Median Rent
$658/mo
14.3% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
19.2%
93.6% high school+
Unemployment
1.1%
0.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
39.5%
14.9% smoking rate
How Dows Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Dows's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Dows a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.9 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Dows residents earn a median household income of $58,750 , which is 22% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $32,886. The unemployment rate stands at 1.1% (69% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 468 business establishments, including 28 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Dows is $56,200 , 80% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $115,853. Median rent is $658/month, with 14.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1938.
Education
19.2% of adults in Dows hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(43% below the national average).
93.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
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 totals 34.9 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population544
Median Age37.0 yrs
Density706/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Foreign Born1.5%
Veterans14.0%
Economy
A
Median Income$58,750
Per Capita$32,886
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$1,247M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,126
Housing
A+
Home Value$56,200
Rent$658
Ownership73.3%
Zillow$115,853
Housing Units233
Rent Burden14.3%
Health
Obesity39.5%
Diabetes9.8%
Smoking14.9%
Heart Disease5.6%
Premature Death6,879/100K
Climate
Avg Temp47°F
Rain34.9 in/yr
Elevation1,153 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+19.2%
High School+93.6%
Graduate+1.6%
School Score5.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 68% / D 31%
Commute29 min
Broadband77.7%
Internet Speed62 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries5
Did You Know?
Dows was founded in 1880.
The median home in Dows was built in 1938.
The nearest airport is Fort Dodge Regional (36 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.432 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
13.1% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 1 fatal vehicle crashes.