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Ellston, IA

Iowa

Ellston is a small town in Iowa with a population of 33. Residents earn $65,714 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

4.6 /5.0
A+ Excellent
33 Population 132/sq mi density
$65,714 Median Income $50,567 per capita
$21,800 Home Value $350,865 Zillow
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
A+
Overall
4.6 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$65,714 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$21,800 home value
A+
Education
4.5 / 5.0
44.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,714
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $21,800
92% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 44.0%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.0%
76% lower than US avg

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

People

Population33
Median Age36.8 yrs
Density132/mi²
Male / Female39% / 61%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans25.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$65,714
Per Capita$50,567
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty3.0%
County GDP$234M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$21,800
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$350,865
Housing Units24
Rent Burden28.4%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.0 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,229 ft (375 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.0%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute29 min
Broadband20.0%
Libraries1

Is Ellston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ellston receives an overall livability score of 4.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Ellston stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ellston is $65,714, 13% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 3.0% 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 Ellston is $21,800, 92% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 0.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 44.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ellston experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.0 inches, including 26.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Ellston has a population of 33 with a density of 132 people per square mile. The median age is 36.8 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

33
Total Population
132
People / sq mi
36.8yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 39.4%
Female 60.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Ellston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ellston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ellston is $65,714, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Ellston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,714
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$50,567
Avg Weekly Wage$889
IRS Avg AGI$60,255

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.0%
76% below US avg
Establishments (County)182
County GDP$234M

Business (County)

Restaurants13
Healthcare11
Retail18
Manufacturing4

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,583
88% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate30.20%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.3 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Ellston is $21,800, 92% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $350,865.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$21,800
92% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$350,865

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden28.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.0%
Housing Units24
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,583
88% above US avg
Effective Rate30.20%
Ellston has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.0 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.2°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.0 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall26.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,229 ft (375 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density132/sq mi
Coordinates40.8401°N, 94.1084°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19159
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 44.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (31% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.3-point margin. 20.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.1%
D 23.8%

Winner: Republican by 51.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+44.0%
31% above US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
A+ Education Grade (4.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density132/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access20.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants13
Retail Stores18

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.3 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Mount Ayr, IA 1,739 pop · 11.0 mi Lamoni, IA 2,121 pop · 17.9 mi Leon, IA 1,795 pop · 19.7 mi Creston, IA 7,466 pop · 20.3 mi Osceola, IA 5,495 pop · 21.4 mi Lenox, IA 1,474 pop · 23.7 mi Bedford, IA 1,389 pop · 34.3 mi Corning, IA 1,573 pop · 34.6 mi Winterset, IA 5,384 pop · 35.5 mi Greenfield, IA 1,826 pop · 37.0 mi Bethany, MO 3,164 pop · 39.7 mi Princeton, MO 1,434 pop · 41.1 mi Corydon, IA 1,566 pop · 41.8 mi Albany, MO 1,855 pop · 42.6 mi
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