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Garrison, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Garrison is a small town in Iowa with a population of 292. Residents earn $57,083 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
292 Population 942/sq mi density
$57,083 Median Income $27,883 per capita
$65,000 Home Value $246,998 Zillow
$830 Median Rent 27.8% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$57,083 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$65,000 home value, $830/mo rent
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,083
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $65,000
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.7%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $830
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.6%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.9%
28% higher than US avg

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

People

Population292
Median Age40.3 yrs
Density942/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans8.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$57,083
Per Capita$27,883
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty15.9%
County GDP$1,137M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$65,000
Rent$830
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$246,998
Housing Units146
Rent Burden27.8%

Health

Obesity40.6%
Uninsured6.5%
Smoking15.4%
Depression21.2%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation893 ft (272 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.7%
High School+88.5%
Graduate+2.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute25 min
Broadband88.5%
Libraries10

Is Garrison a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Garrison receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Garrison offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Garrison is $57,083, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. The poverty rate of 15.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Garrison is $65,000, 77% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $830 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.7% 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

Garrison experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches, including 33.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Garrison has a population of 292 with a density of 942 people per square mile. The median age is 40.3 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.9%).

Population

292
Total Population
942
People / sq mi
40.3yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.4%
Female 48.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Garrison vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Garrison vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Garrison is $57,083, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Garrison vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,083
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,883
Avg Weekly Wage$1,043
IRS Avg AGI$78,010

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.9%
28% above US avg
Establishments (County)720
County GDP$1,137M

Business (County)

Restaurants35
Healthcare53
Retail85
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,120
18% above US avg
Cost of Living87.80 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.34%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.6 min
Drive Alone87.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Garrison is $65,000, 77% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $830 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $246,998.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$65,000
77% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$246,998

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$830
29% below US avg
Rent Burden27.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.5%
Housing Units146
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,120
18% above US avg
Effective Rate6.34%
In Garrison, 40.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.5% of residents lack health insurance. 15.4% are current smokers. 21.2% report depression. 22.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.6%
26% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure30.3%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.8%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.4%
10% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.6%
Physical Inactivity22.2%
Depression21.2%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress11.7%
Short Sleep33.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.7%
Uninsured6.5%
24% below US avg
Primary Care1:5,138
Dentists1:4,285
Mental Health1:1,984
Checkup Rate75.4%
Dental Visits68.9%
Premature Death6,615/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access44.3%
Healthcare Facilities53
Garrison has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall33.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation893 ft (272 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density942/sq mi
Coordinates42.1450°N, 92.1442°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19011
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 6.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.2-point margin. 88.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66%
D 32.8%

Winner: Republican by 33.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.7%
80% below US avg
High School+88.5%
Graduate Degree+2.6%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density942/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.5%
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities53
Restaurants35
Retail Stores85

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.6 min
Drive Alone87.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.7%

Nearby Cities

Vinton, IA 4,948 pop · 6.2 mi Dysart, IA 1,575 pop · 8.7 mi La Porte City, IA 2,170 pop · 11.9 mi Newhall, IA 1,012 pop · 13.9 mi Urbana, IA 1,628 pop · 14.5 mi Traer, IA 1,464 pop · 16.7 mi Atkins, IA 2,347 pop · 18.0 mi Belle Plaine, IA 2,412 pop · 18.5 mi Palo, IA 1,173 pop · 18.5 mi Center Point, IA 2,575 pop · 18.9 mi Evansdale, IA 4,530 pop · 23.1 mi Jesup, IA 2,596 pop · 23.1 mi Hiawatha, IA 7,178 pop · 24.1 mi Fairfax, IA 2,865 pop · 24.2 mi
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