Earlham, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Earlham is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,406. Residents earn $104,464 per year, which is 39% above the national average.

4.4 /5.0
A Great
1,406 Population 1,480/sq mi density
$104,464 Median Income $39,300 per capita
$248,400 Home Value $357,595 Zillow
$779 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$104,464 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$248,400 home value, $779/mo rent
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $104,464
39% higher than US avg
Home Value $248,400
12% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.9%
14% lower than US avg
Median Rent $779
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.3%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.2%
98% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,406
Median Age43.9 yrs
Density1,480/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A+
Median Income$104,464
Per Capita$39,300
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty0.2%
County GDP$684M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$248,400
Rent$779
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$357,595

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.8 in/yr
Elevation1,098 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.9%
High School+93.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute27 min
Libraries4

Is Earlham a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Earlham receives an overall livability score of 4.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Earlham stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Earlham is $104,464, which is significantly higher than the national average — 39% above $75,149. This places Earlham among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. Only 0.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Earlham is $248,400, 12% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $779 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

28.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Earlham experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.8 inches, including 30.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Earlham has a population of 1,406 with a density of 1,480 people per square mile. The median age is 43.9 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.7%), with 2.1% Hispanic, 2.6% Black.

Population

1,406
Total Population
1,480
People / sq mi
43.9yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.8%
Female 48.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Earlham vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Earlham vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Earlham is $104,464, which is 39% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Earlham vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$104,464
39% above US avg
Per Capita Income$39,300
Avg Weekly Wage$965
IRS Avg AGI$86,906

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.2%
98% below US avg
Establishments (County)566
County GDP$684M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare33
Retail44
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,857
67% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.9 min
Work from Home17.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Earlham is $248,400, 12% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $779 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $357,595.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$248,400
12% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$357,595

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$779
33% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,857
67% above US avg
Effective Rate2.36%
In Earlham, 36.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.4% report depression. 20.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.3%
13% above US avg
Diabetes8.2%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure28.3%
Asthma10.0%
COPD5.2%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.6%
Physical Inactivity20.7%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress16.9%
Physical Distress11.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.6%
Checkup Rate75.4%
Premature Death6,015/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access45.5%
Healthcare Facilities33

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Earlham has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.8 inches
8% below US avg
Snowfall30.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,098 ft (335 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density1,480/sq mi
Coordinates41.4944°N, 94.1223°W
County FIPS19121
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 28.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (14% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.7%
D 30.1%

Winner: Republican by 38.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.9%
14% below US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score5.73
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,480/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants24
Retail Stores44

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.9 min
Work from Home17.7%

Nearby Cities

Compare Earlham with another city: