Emmetsburg, IA

Iowa

Emmetsburg is a small town in Iowa with a population of 3,651. Residents earn $57,353 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
3,651 Population 963/sq mi density
$57,353 Median Income $33,900 per capita
$114,600 Home Value $164,973 Zillow
$589 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
580 Violent Crime/100K 1,134 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$57,353 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$114,600 home value, $589/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
580 violent crimes/100K (53% above avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,353
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $114,600
59% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 580/100K
53% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.8%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $589
49% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.6%
34% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,651
Median Age45.0 yrs
Density963/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

B+
Median Income$57,353
Per Capita$33,900
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty16.6%
County GDP$796M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$114,600
Rent$589
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$164,973

Crime

F
Violent580/100K
Property1,134/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault580/100K
Burglary237/100K

Health

Obesity42.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain33.6 in/yr
Elevation1,225 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.8%
High School+92.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 27%
Commute14 min
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is Emmetsburg a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Emmetsburg receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Emmetsburg offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Emmetsburg is $57,353, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. The poverty rate of 16.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Emmetsburg is $114,600, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $589 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 580 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,134 per 100,000, 42% below the national average.

Education

16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Emmetsburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches, including 37.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Emmetsburg has a population of 3,651 with a density of 963 people per square mile. The median age is 45.0 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.6%).

Population

3,651
Total Population
963
People / sq mi
45.0yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
3.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.6%
Female 48.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Emmetsburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Emmetsburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Emmetsburg is $57,353, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Emmetsburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,353
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,900
Avg Weekly Wage$912
IRS Avg AGI$71,314

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.6%
34% above US avg
Establishments (County)336
County GDP$796M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare32
Retail41
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,525
1% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.1 min
Work from Home7.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Emmetsburg is $114,600, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $589 (49% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $164,973.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$114,600
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$164,973

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$589
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-Occupied69.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,525
1% above US avg
Effective Rate3.08%
In Emmetsburg, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 26.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.2%
31% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure32.1%
Asthma10.5%
COPD7.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.4%
Physical Inactivity26.0%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.0%
Checkup Rate75.0%
Premature Death7,822/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access71.9%
Healthcare Facilities32
Emmetsburg has a violent crime rate of 580 per 100,000 residents, 53% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,134 per 100,000 (42% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent580.3/100K
53% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault580.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,134.3/100K
42% below US avg
Burglary237.4/100K
Theft817.7/100K
Vehicle Theft79.1/100K
Arson26.4/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Emmetsburg has an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.3°F
12% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.6 inches
12% below US avg
Snowfall37.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,225 ft (373 m)
Area3.8 sq mi (9.8 km²)
Population Density963/sq mi
Coordinates43.1148°N, 94.6796°W
County FIPS19147
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 45-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.9%
D 26.9%

Winner: Republican by 45 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.8%
50% below US avg
High School+92.0%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density963/sq mi
Total Area3.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities32
Restaurants25
Retail Stores41

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.1 min
Work from Home7.4%

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