Glenwood, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Glenwood is a small city in Iowa with a population of 5,118. Residents earn $69,320 per year, which is 8% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
5,118 Population 1,753/sq mi density
$69,320 Median Income $41,277 per capita
$193,800 Home Value $307,606 Zillow
$842 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
398 Violent Crime/100K 1,537 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$69,320 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$193,800 home value, $842/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
398 violent crimes/100K (5% above avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $69,320
8% lower than US avg
Home Value $193,800
31% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 398/100K
5% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.0%
20% lower than US avg
Median Rent $842
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.1%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.5%
96% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,118
Median Age42.3 yrs
Density1,753/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A
Median Income$69,320
Per Capita$41,277
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty0.5%
County GDP$645M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$193,800
Rent$842
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$307,606

Crime

F
Violent398/100K
Property1,537/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault323/100K
Burglary588/100K

Health

Obesity39.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.8 in/yr
Elevation987 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.0%
High School+97.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute20 min
Libraries4

Is Glenwood a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Glenwood receives an overall livability score of 3.4 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 high obesity rates. Glenwood offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Glenwood is $69,320, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. Only 0.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Glenwood is $193,800, 31% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $842 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,537 per 100,000, 22% below the national average.

Education

27.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Glenwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.8 inches, including 23.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Glenwood has a population of 5,118 with a density of 1,753 people per square mile. The median age is 42.3 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.8%), with 1.4% Hispanic.

Population

5,118
Total Population
1,753
People / sq mi
42.3yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
2.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Glenwood vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Glenwood vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Glenwood is $69,320, which is 8% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Glenwood vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$69,320
8% below US avg
Per Capita Income$41,277
Avg Weekly Wage$1,059
IRS Avg AGI$91,250

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.5%
96% below US avg
Establishments (County)458
County GDP$645M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare27
Retail40
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,433
55% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.80%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.0 min
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Glenwood is $193,800, 31% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $842 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $307,606.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$193,800
31% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$307,606
Median List Price$292,249

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$292,249
$/Sq Ft$146
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio98.1%
Price Drops28.6%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$842
28% 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-Occupied76.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,433
55% above US avg
Effective Rate2.80%
In Glenwood, 39.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 21.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.1%
22% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure29.8%
Asthma10.2%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.0%
Physical Inactivity21.5%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Checkup Rate75.3%
Premature Death9,695/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access63.0%
Healthcare Facilities27
Glenwood has a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, 5% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,537 per 100,000 (22% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent398.4/100K
5% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape56.9/100K
Robbery19.0/100K
Assault322.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,536.7/100K
22% below US avg
Burglary588.1/100K
Theft872.7/100K
Vehicle Theft75.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Glenwood has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.9°F
6% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.8 inches
8% below US avg
Snowfall23.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation987 ft (301 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.6 km²)
Population Density1,753/sq mi
Coordinates41.0447°N, 95.7406°W
County FIPS19129
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 27.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (20% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69%
D 29.9%

Winner: Republican by 39.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.0%
20% below US avg
High School+97.1%
School Test Score5.73
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,753/sq mi
Total Area2.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities27
Restaurants21
Retail Stores40

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.0 min
Work from Home6.9%

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