Early, IA

Iowa

Early is a small town in Iowa with a population of 757. Residents earn $76,083 per year, which is 1% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
757 Population 1,941/sq mi density
$76,083 Median Income $35,930 per capita
$83,500 Home Value $142,224 Zillow
$588 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$76,083 median income, 8.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$83,500 home value, $588/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $76,083
1% higher than US avg
Home Value $83,500
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.5%
57% lower than US avg
Median Rent $588
49% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.4%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.1%
125% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.7%
62% lower than US avg

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

People

Population757
Median Age39.0 yrs
Density1,941/mi²
Male / Female62% / 38%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B+
Median Income$76,083
Per Capita$35,930
Unemployment8.1%
Poverty4.7%
County GDP$794M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$83,500
Rent$588
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$142,224

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.3%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain33.6 in/yr
Elevation1,338 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.5%
High School+87.4%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute20 min
EV Stations1
Libraries8

Is Early a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Early receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. Early offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Early is $76,083, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 8.1%, unemployment is notably high. Only 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Early is $83,500, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $588 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

14.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Early experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches, including 34.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Early has a population of 757 with a density of 1,941 people per square mile. The median age is 39.0 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.6%), with 3.6% Black.

Population

757
Total Population
1,941
People / sq mi
39.0yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 61.8%
Female 38.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Early vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.5%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.5%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Early vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Early is $76,083, which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Early vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,083
1% above US avg
Per Capita Income$35,930
Avg Weekly Wage$971
IRS Avg AGI$76,693

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.1%
125% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.7%
62% below US avg
Establishments (County)392
County GDP$794M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare30
Retail51
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,713
6% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.45%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.2 min
Work from Home2.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Early is $83,500, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $588 (49% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $142,224.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$83,500
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$142,224

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$588
49% 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-Occupied69.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,713
6% above US avg
Effective Rate4.45%
In Early, 42.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.3% report depression. 25.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.4%
32% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.6%
Physical Inactivity25.9%
Depression22.3%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.8%
Checkup Rate74.4%
Premature Death6,910/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access61.5%
Healthcare Facilities30

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Early has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.6 inches
11% below US avg
Snowfall34.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,338 ft (408 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density1,941/sq mi
Coordinates42.4611°N, 95.1524°W
County FIPS19161
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 14.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.3%
D 23.7%

Winner: Republican by 51.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.5%
57% below US avg
High School+87.4%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,941/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities30
Restaurants24
Retail Stores51

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.2 min
Work from Home2.9%

Nearby Cities

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