Emmetsburg, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Palo Alto County County
2.9
/5.0
C+
Fair
3,651
Population
963/sq mi density
$57,353
Median Income
$33,900 per capita
$114,600
Home Value
$173,138 Zillow
$589
Median Rent
27.1% income on rent
47°F
Avg Temperature
222
Violent Crime/100K
556 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$57,353 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$114,600 home value, $589/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
222 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Housing Overview
Median Home Value
$114,600
59% below
US avg: $281,900
Median Rent
$589/mo
49% below
US avg: $1,163/mo
Homeownership Rate
69.9%
7% above US avg (65.4%)
Total Housing Units
1,866
Median year built: 1962
Home Value by Source
Census Median
$114,600
Zillow (ZHVI)
$173,138
Census ACS, Zillow ZHVI, Redfin median sale price
Ownership vs. Renting
69.9%
Owner-Occupied
30.1%
Renter-Occupied
US avg: 65.4% owner-occupied
Fair Market Rents (HUD FY2026)
Studio
$738/mo
1 Bedroom
$788/mo
2 Bedroom
$989/mo
3 Bedroom
$1,282/mo
4 Bedroom
$1,420/mo
Census median rent:
$589/mo
Affordability & Housing Stock
Rent Burden
27.1%
of renters spending 30%+ of income on housing
13% below US avg (31.0%)
Median Year Built
1962
Average age of housing stock: 64 years
Homeownership Rate
69.9%
Complete Housing Data
Home Values
| Census Median Value | $114,600 |
| Zillow Home Value (ZHVI) | $173,138 |
Rent
| Census Median Rent | $589 |
| FMR Studio | $738 |
| FMR 1-Bedroom | $788 |
| FMR 2-Bedroom | $989 |
| FMR 3-Bedroom | $1,282 |
| FMR 4-Bedroom | $1,420 |
Market
Ownership & Stock
| Owner-Occupied | 69.9% |
| Renter-Occupied | 30.1% |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.9% |
| Total Housing Units | 1,866 |
| Median Year Built | 1962 |
| Rent Burden | 27.1% |