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Fostoria, IA

Iowa

Fostoria is a small town in Iowa with a population of 184. Residents earn $83,125 per year, which is 11% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
184 Population 449/sq mi density
$83,125 Median Income $46,249 per capita
$150,900 Home Value $149,869 Zillow
$750 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$83,125 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$150,900 home value, $750/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $83,125
11% higher than US avg
Home Value $150,900
46% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.3%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $750
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.3%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population184
Median Age56.4 yrs
Density449/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans4.8%

Economy

A+
Median Income$83,125
Per Capita$46,249
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$1,529M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$150,900
Rent$750
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$149,869
Housing Units99
Rent Burden27.5%

Health

Obesity35.3%
Uninsured7.1%
Smoking15.9%
Depression21.3%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain31.0 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,454 ft (443 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.3%
High School+92.8%
Graduate+3.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute20 min
Broadband96.0%
Libraries5

Is Fostoria a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fostoria receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Fostoria stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fostoria is $83,125, 11% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fostoria is $150,900, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $750 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.

Education

20.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Fostoria experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°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 31.0 inches, including 43.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Fostoria has a population of 184 with a density of 449 people per square mile. The median age is 56.4 years, 45% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.9%), with 1.1% Black.

Population

184
Total Population
449
People / sq mi
56.4yrs
Median Age
45% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.2%
Female 47.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Fostoria vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fostoria vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fostoria is $83,125, which is 11% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Fostoria vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$83,125
11% above US avg
Per Capita Income$46,249
Avg Weekly Wage$897
IRS Avg AGI$99,626

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)958
County GDP$1,529M

Business (County)

Restaurants107
Healthcare59
Retail107
Manufacturing39

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,645
118% above US avg
Cost of Living87.80 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.07%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.5 min
Drive Alone83.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Fostoria is $150,900, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $750 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $149,869.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$150,900
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$149,869

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$750
36% below US avg
Rent Burden27.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied92.7%
Housing Units99
Median Year Built1952

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,645
118% above US avg
Effective Rate5.07%
In Fostoria, 35.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.1% of residents lack health insurance. 15.9% are current smokers. 21.3% report depression. 24.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.3%
10% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure30.2%
Asthma10.1%
COPD6.0%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.9%
14% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.1%
Physical Inactivity24.2%
Depression21.3%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress12.1%
Short Sleep32.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.1%
Uninsured7.1%
17% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,190
Dentists1:1,387
Mental Health1:860
Checkup Rate74.3%
Dental Visits66.3%
Premature Death4,872/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access79.7%
Healthcare Facilities59
Fostoria has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.0 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) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.1°F
15% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.0 inches
18% below US avg
Snowfall43.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,454 ft (443 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density449/sq mi
Coordinates43.2430°N, 95.1549°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19059
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 20.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 40-point margin. 96.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.5%
D 29.5%

Winner: Republican by 40 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.3%
40% below US avg
High School+92.8%
Graduate Degree+3.9%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density449/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access96.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities59
Restaurants107
Retail Stores107

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.5 min
Drive Alone83.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Spencer, IA 11,393 pop · 6.6 mi Milford, IA 3,315 pop · 6.8 mi Spirit Lake, IA 5,469 pop · 12.2 mi Lake Park, IA 1,191 pop · 16.5 mi Hartley, IA 1,588 pop · 16.8 mi Estherville, IA 5,865 pop · 19.4 mi Graettinger, IA 1,038 pop · 20.4 mi Emmetsburg, IA 3,651 pop · 25.5 mi Sanborn, IA 1,510 pop · 25.6 mi Jackson, MN 3,298 pop · 27.7 mi Lakefield, MN 1,652 pop · 30.1 mi Laurens, IA 1,234 pop · 31.4 mi Sibley, IA 2,821 pop · 31.5 mi Worthington, MN 13,792 pop · 34.8 mi
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