Garwin, IA

Iowa

Garwin is a small town in Iowa with a population of 554. Residents earn $56,563 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
554 Population 549/sq mi density
$56,563 Median Income $32,059 per capita
$85,100 Home Value $161,957 Zillow
$645 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$56,563 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,100 home value, $645/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,563
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,100
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.7%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $645
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.3%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.8%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population554
Median Age50.3 yrs
Density549/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 99%

Economy

A
Median Income$56,563
Per Capita$32,059
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty3.8%
County GDP$848M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,100
Rent$645
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$161,957

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.3 in/yr
Elevation899 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.7%
High School+88.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 36%
Commute19 min
Libraries9

Is Garwin a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Garwin receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Garwin offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Garwin is $56,563, 25% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. Only 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Garwin is $85,100, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $645 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Garwin experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.3 inches, including 32.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Garwin has a population of 554 with a density of 549 people per square mile. The median age is 50.3 years, 29% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.6%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

554
Total Population
549
People / sq mi
50.3yrs
Median Age
29% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%
Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Garwin vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Garwin vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Garwin is $56,563, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Garwin vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,563
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,059
Avg Weekly Wage$938
IRS Avg AGI$67,559

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.8%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)440
County GDP$848M

Business (County)

Restaurants29
Healthcare26
Retail50
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,285
6% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.7 min
Work from Home2.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Garwin is $85,100, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $645 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $161,957.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,100
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$161,957

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$645
45% 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-Occupied79.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,285
6% below US avg
Effective Rate3.86%
In Garwin, 38.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 24.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.3%
19% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.6%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.0%
Physical Inactivity24.5%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress12.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.7%
Checkup Rate75.2%
Premature Death7,872/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access61.7%
Healthcare Facilities26

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Garwin has an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.3°F
12% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.3 inches
7% below US avg
Snowfall32.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation899 ft (274 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density549/sq mi
Coordinates42.0935°N, 92.6791°W
County FIPS19171
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 8.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.6%
D 35.7%

Winner: Republican by 26.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.7%
74% below US avg
High School+88.0%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density549/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities26
Restaurants29
Retail Stores50

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.7 min
Work from Home2.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare Garwin with another city: