Garner, IA

Iowa

Garner is a small town in Iowa with a population of 3,062. Residents earn $68,964 per year, which is 8% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
3,062 Population 1,438/sq mi density
$68,964 Median Income $37,753 per capita
$162,100 Home Value $221,821 Zillow
$791 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$68,964 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$162,100 home value, $791/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,964
8% lower than US avg
Home Value $162,100
42% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.2%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $791
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.3%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.7%
6% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,062
Median Age51.7 yrs
Density1,438/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A
Median Income$68,964
Per Capita$37,753
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty11.7%
County GDP$1,204M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$162,100
Rent$791
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$221,821

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Elevation1,216 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.2%
High School+90.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute15 min
Libraries7

Is Garner a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Garner receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Garner stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Garner is $68,964, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. 11.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Garner is $162,100, 42% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $791 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Garner experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Garner has a population of 3,062 with a density of 1,438 people per square mile. The median age is 51.7 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.2%), with 2.7% Black.

Population

3,062
Total Population
1,438
People / sq mi
51.7yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.9%
Female 50.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Garner vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.6%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.4%
82% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Garner vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Garner is $68,964, which is 8% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Garner vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,964
8% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,753
Avg Weekly Wage$1,152
IRS Avg AGI$77,191

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.7%
6% below US avg
Establishments (County)379
County GDP$1,204M

Business (County)

Restaurants14
Healthcare25
Retail36
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,211
8% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.5 min
Work from Home6.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Garner is $162,100, 42% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $791 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $221,821.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$162,100
42% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$221,821

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$791
32% 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-Occupied74.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,211
8% below US avg
Effective Rate1.98%
In Garner, 42.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 25.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.3%
32% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.6%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.4%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.3%
Physical Inactivity25.9%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress18.0%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.4%
Checkup Rate75.5%
Premature Death6,876/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access70.9%
Healthcare Facilities25

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Garner has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.5°F
16% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.3 inches
10% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,216 ft (371 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density1,438/sq mi
Coordinates43.1000°N, 93.6031°W
County FIPS19081
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.1%
D 25.7%

Winner: Republican by 47.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.2%
28% below US avg
High School+90.2%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,438/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants14
Retail Stores36

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.5 min
Work from Home6.5%

Nearby Cities

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