Estherville, IA

Iowa

Estherville is a small city in Iowa with a population of 5,865. Residents earn $54,624 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
5,865 Population 1,088/sq mi density
$54,624 Median Income $30,071 per capita
$96,300 Home Value $117,842 Zillow
$739 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
362 Violent Crime/100K 1,120 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$54,624 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$96,300 home value, $739/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
362 violent crimes/100K (5% below avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,624
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $96,300
66% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 362/100K
5% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.2%
61% lower than US avg
Median Rent $739
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.4%
38% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.1%
35% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,865
Median Age40.5 yrs
Density1,088/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

B+
Median Income$54,624
Per Capita$30,071
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty8.1%
County GDP$519M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$96,300
Rent$739
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$117,842

Crime

F
Violent362/100K
Property1,120/100K
Murder16.5/100K
Assault313/100K
Burglary412/100K

Health

Obesity44.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.5%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain31.7 in/yr
Elevation1,299 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.2%
High School+83.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 27%
Commute22 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Estherville a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Estherville is $54,624, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. 8.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Estherville is $96,300, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $739 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Estherville is below the national average at 362 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,120 per 100,000, 43% below the national average.

Education

13.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Estherville has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Estherville has a population of 5,865 with a density of 1,088 people per square mile. The median age is 40.5 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.3%), with 2.7% Black.

Population

5,865
Total Population
1,088
People / sq mi
40.5yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
5.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Estherville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.8%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.2%
24% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Estherville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Estherville is $54,624, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Estherville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,624
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,071
Avg Weekly Wage$925
IRS Avg AGI$63,021

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.1%
35% below US avg
Establishments (County)330
County GDP$519M

Business (County)

Restaurants14
Healthcare28
Retail43
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,190
9% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.31%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.6 min
Work from Home5.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Estherville is $96,300, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $739 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $117,842.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$96,300
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$117,842

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$739
36% 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-Occupied71.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,190
9% below US avg
Effective Rate3.31%
In Estherville, 44.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.5% report depression. 28.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.4%
38% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure32.9%
Asthma10.4%
COPD7.3%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.0%
Physical Inactivity28.3%
Depression21.5%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.1%
Checkup Rate74.7%
Premature Death7,705/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access79.7%
Healthcare Facilities28
Estherville has a violent crime rate of 362 per 100,000 residents, 5% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,120 per 100,000 (43% below US avg). The murder rate is 16.5 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent362.3/100K
5% below US avg
Murder16.5/100K
161% above US avg
Rape32.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault312.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,119.7/100K
43% below US avg
Burglary411.7/100K
Theft658.7/100K
Vehicle Theft49.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Estherville has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-10°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.8°F
17% below US avg
January Average15°F (-10°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.7 inches
16% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,299 ft (396 m)
Area5.4 sq mi (14.0 km²)
Population Density1,088/sq mi
Coordinates43.3997°N, 94.8342°W
County FIPS19063
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 13.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (61% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 44-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.5%
D 27.5%

Winner: Republican by 44 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.2%
61% below US avg
High School+83.1%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,088/sq mi
Total Area5.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities28
Restaurants14
Retail Stores43

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.6 min
Work from Home5.1%

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