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Fontanelle, IA

Iowa

Fontanelle is a small town in Iowa with a population of 629. Residents earn $66,500 per year, which is 12% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
629 Population 731/sq mi density
$66,500 Median Income $36,167 per capita
$93,800 Home Value $157,015 Zillow
$856 Median Rent 17.9% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$66,500 median income, 5.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$93,800 home value, $856/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,500
12% lower than US avg
Home Value $93,800
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.6%
57% lower than US avg
Median Rent $856
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.4%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.3%
47% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.0%
52% lower than US avg

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

People

Population629
Median Age43.4 yrs
Density731/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans8.8%

Economy

B+
Median Income$66,500
Per Capita$36,167
Unemployment5.3%
Poverty6.0%
County GDP$663M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$93,800
Rent$856
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$157,015
Housing Units350
Rent Burden17.9%

Health

Obesity40.4%
Uninsured7.2%
Smoking17.7%
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.5 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,349 ft (411 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.6%
High School+94.6%
Graduate+4.4%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 27%
Commute27 min
Broadband89.9%
Libraries4

Is Fontanelle a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fontanelle receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. Fontanelle offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fontanelle is $66,500, 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fontanelle is $93,800, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $856 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Fontanelle experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.5 inches, including 25.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Fontanelle has a population of 629 with a density of 731 people per square mile. The median age is 43.4 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96%).

Population

629
Total Population
731
People / sq mi
43.4yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.3%
Female 54.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Fontanelle vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.6%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fontanelle vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fontanelle is $66,500, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Fontanelle vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,500
12% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,167
Avg Weekly Wage$1,022
IRS Avg AGI$64,151

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.3%
47% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.0%
52% below US avg
Establishments (County)332
County GDP$663M

Business (County)

Restaurants17
Healthcare22
Retail29
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,267
7% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.48%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.5 min
Drive Alone85.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Fontanelle is $93,800, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $856 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $157,015.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$93,800
67% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$157,015

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$856
26% below US avg
Rent Burden17.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.2%
Housing Units350
Median Year Built1948

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,267
7% below US avg
Effective Rate3.48%
In Fontanelle, 40.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.2% of residents lack health insurance. 17.7% are current smokers. 22.2% report depression. 26.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.4%
26% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure32.8%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.9%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.7%
26% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.2%
Physical Inactivity26.0%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress12.8%
Short Sleep34.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.1%
Uninsured7.2%
16% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.6%
Dental Visits61.7%
Premature Death7,151/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access34.2%
Healthcare Facilities22
Fontanelle has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.5 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.1°F
9% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.5 inches
4% below US avg
Snowfall25.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,349 ft (411 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.2 km²)
Population Density731/sq mi
Coordinates41.2900°N, 94.5602°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19001
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 14.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 45-point margin. 89.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.8%
D 26.7%

Winner: Republican by 45 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.6%
57% below US avg
High School+94.6%
Graduate Degree+4.4%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density731/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.9%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities22
Restaurants17
Retail Stores29

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.5 min
Drive Alone85.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.5%

Nearby Cities

Greenfield, IA 1,826 pop · 5.4 mi Anita, IA 1,060 pop · 15.1 mi Creston, IA 7,466 pop · 18.9 mi Stuart, IA 1,642 pop · 19.2 mi Corning, IA 1,573 pop · 22.6 mi Atlantic, IA 6,773 pop · 25.0 mi Earlham, IA 1,406 pop · 26.7 mi Guthrie Center, IA 1,603 pop · 27.0 mi Lenox, IA 1,474 pop · 28.1 mi Winterset, IA 5,384 pop · 28.4 mi Panora, IA 1,520 pop · 29.5 mi Griswold, IA 1,020 pop · 30.3 mi Villisca, IA 1,004 pop · 33.2 mi Audubon, IA 2,069 pop · 35.2 mi
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