Fertile, IA

Iowa

Fertile is a small town in Iowa with a population of 272. Residents earn $64,432 per year, which is 14% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
272 Population 289/sq mi density
$64,432 Median Income $40,042 per capita
$150,000 Home Value $184,538 Zillow
$869 Median Rent 16.9% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$64,432 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$150,000 home value, $869/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $64,432
14% lower than US avg
Home Value $150,000
47% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.2%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $869
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.6%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.0%
60% lower than US avg

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

People

Population272
Median Age59.3 yrs
Density289/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans13.1%

Economy

A
Median Income$64,432
Per Capita$40,042
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty5.0%
County GDP$485M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$150,000
Rent$869
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$184,538
Housing Units193
Rent Burden16.9%

Health

Obesity38.6%
Uninsured6.3%
Smoking13.6%
Depression21.0%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.3 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,169 ft (356 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.2%
High School+95.9%
Graduate+2.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute25 min
Broadband87.8%
Libraries7

Is Fertile a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fertile receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Fertile offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fertile is $64,432, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 5.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fertile is $150,000, 47% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $869 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Fertile experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.3 inches, including 44.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Fertile has a population of 272 with a density of 289 people per square mile. The median age is 59.3 years, 52% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (99.3%).

Population

272
Total Population
289
People / sq mi
59.3yrs
Median Age
52% above US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.8%
Female 48.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Fertile vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Fertile vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fertile is $64,432, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Fertile vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$64,432
14% below US avg
Per Capita Income$40,042
Avg Weekly Wage$893
IRS Avg AGI$71,143

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.0%
60% below US avg
Establishments (County)233
County GDP$485M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare11
Retail19
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,689
23% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.79%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.4 min
Drive Alone78.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Fertile is $150,000, 47% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $869 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $184,538.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$150,000
47% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$184,538

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$56
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio92.9%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$869
25% below US avg
Rent Burden16.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.8%
Housing Units193
Median Year Built1949

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,689
23% below US avg
Effective Rate1.79%
In Fertile, 38.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.3% of residents lack health insurance. 13.6% are current smokers. 21.0% report depression. 21.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.6%
20% above US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.2%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.6%
3% below US avg
Binge Drinking23.9%
Physical Inactivity21.0%
Depression21.0%
Mental Distress16.6%
Physical Distress10.9%
Short Sleep33.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.0%
Uninsured6.3%
27% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.4%
Dental Visits71.1%
Premature Death6,737/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access58.7%
Healthcare Facilities11
Fertile has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.3 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.6°F
16% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.3 inches
5% below US avg
Snowfall44.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,169 ft (356 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density289/sq mi
Coordinates43.2623°N, 93.4232°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19195
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 28.2-point margin. 87.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.5%
D 35.3%

Winner: Republican by 28.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.2%
52% below US avg
High School+95.9%
Graduate Degree+2.3%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density289/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access87.8%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants10
Retail Stores19

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.4 min
Drive Alone78.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.6%

Nearby Cities

Clear Lake, IA 7,603 pop · 9.1 mi Forest City, IA 4,280 pop · 10.7 mi Manly, IA 1,288 pop · 11.3 mi Lake Mills, IA 2,054 pop · 12.0 mi Mason City, IA 27,135 pop · 13.7 mi Garner, IA 3,062 pop · 14.4 mi Northwood, IA 2,170 pop · 16.3 mi Britt, IA 1,919 pop · 22.2 mi Nora Springs, IA 1,394 pop · 22.4 mi St. Ansgar, IA 1,156 pop · 26.7 mi Albert Lea, MN 18,379 pop · 27.2 mi Sheffield, IA 1,204 pop · 28.0 mi Belmond, IA 2,678 pop · 30.2 mi Osage, IA 3,578 pop · 30.8 mi
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