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Fonda, IA

Iowa

Fonda is a small town in Iowa with a population of 668. Residents earn $66,750 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
668 Population 668/sq mi density
$66,750 Median Income $32,309 per capita
$61,200 Home Value $109,403 Zillow
$546 Median Rent 21.5% income on rent
47°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
$66,750 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$61,200 home value, $546/mo rent
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,750
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $61,200
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.6%
45% lower than US avg
Median Rent $546
53% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.0%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.1%
42% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.7%
70% lower than US avg

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

People

Population668
Median Age38.8 yrs
Density668/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 79%
Veterans9.7%

Economy

A
Median Income$66,750
Per Capita$32,309
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty3.7%
County GDP$642M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$61,200
Rent$546
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$109,403
Housing Units295
Rent Burden21.5%

Health

Obesity36.0%
Uninsured10.1%
Smoking14.4%
Depression19.8%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain32.8 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,230 ft (375 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.6%
High School+88.5%
Graduate+7.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute21 min
Broadband72.3%
Libraries9

Is Fonda a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fonda 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. Fonda offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fonda is $66,750, 11% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.1%. Only 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fonda is $61,200, 78% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $546 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

18.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Fonda experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 32.8 inches, including 38.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Fonda has a population of 668 with a density of 668 people per square mile. The median age is 38.8 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79%), with 1.5% Black.

Population

668
Total Population
668
People / sq mi
38.8yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47%
Female 53%

Race & Ethnicity

Fonda vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only75.8%
3% below US avg
Spanish24.2%
81% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Fonda vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fonda is $66,750, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Fonda vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,750
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,309
Avg Weekly Wage$1,015
IRS Avg AGI$71,570

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.7%
70% below US avg
Establishments (County)265
County GDP$642M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare17
Retail26
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.66%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.8 min
Drive Alone82.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Fonda is $61,200, 78% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $546 (53% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $109,403.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$61,200
78% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$109,403

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$546
53% below US avg
Rent Burden21.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied67.5%
Housing Units295
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Rate4.66%
In Fonda, 36.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.1% of residents lack health insurance. 14.4% are current smokers. 19.8% report depression. 25.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.0%
12% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure29.2%
Asthma9.6%
COPD5.5%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.4%
3% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.6%
Physical Inactivity25.2%
Depression19.8%
Mental Distress16.9%
Physical Distress11.9%
Short Sleep34.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.3%
Uninsured10.1%
17% above US avg
Checkup Rate74.9%
Dental Visits67.5%
Premature Death9,324/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access73.0%
Healthcare Facilities17
Fonda has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.8 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.8 inches
14% below US avg
Snowfall38.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,230 ft (375 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density668/sq mi
Coordinates42.5817°N, 94.8455°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19151
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 18.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54-point margin. 72.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.3%
D 22.3%

Winner: Republican by 54 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.6%
45% below US avg
High School+88.5%
Graduate Degree+7.2%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density668/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access72.3%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities17
Restaurants12
Retail Stores26

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.8 min
Drive Alone82.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Sac City, IA 1,782 pop · 13.5 mi Pocahontas, IA 1,536 pop · 14.1 mi Manson, IA 1,653 pop · 16.0 mi Rockwell City, IA 2,449 pop · 16.8 mi Storm Lake, IA 11,275 pop · 18.3 mi Laurens, IA 1,234 pop · 18.4 mi Lake View, IA 1,021 pop · 21.6 mi Lake City, IA 1,652 pop · 22.5 mi Alta, IA 2,344 pop · 24.1 mi Humboldt, IA 4,761 pop · 33.0 mi Fort Dodge, IA 24,788 pop · 34.5 mi Carroll, IA 10,261 pop · 35.4 mi Ida Grove, IA 1,904 pop · 36.0 mi Holstein, IA 1,552 pop · 36.1 mi
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