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Goose Lake, IA

Iowa

Goose Lake is a small town in Iowa with a population of 309. Residents earn $70,625 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
309 Population 936/sq mi density
$70,625 Median Income $23,677 per capita
$125,000 Home Value $271,642 Zillow
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$70,625 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$125,000 home value
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,625
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $125,000
56% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.0%
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.1%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.4%
16% lower than US avg

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

People

Population309
Median Age30.8 yrs
Density936/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans2.5%

Economy

A
Median Income$70,625
Per Capita$23,677
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty10.4%
County GDP$2,951M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$125,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$271,642
Housing Units99
Rent Burden27.7%

Health

Obesity39.1%
Uninsured7.1%
Smoking17.3%
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation699 ft (213 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.0%
High School+76.3%
Graduate+4.5%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute23 min
Broadband93.0%
Libraries7

Is Goose Lake a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Goose Lake is $70,625, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. 10.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Goose Lake is $125,000, 56% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

22.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Goose Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Goose Lake has a population of 309 with a density of 936 people per square mile. The median age is 30.8 years, 21% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.2%), with 1.6% Black.

Population

309
Total Population
936
People / sq mi
30.8yrs
Median Age
21% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Goose Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Goose Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Goose Lake is $70,625, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Goose Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,625
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,677
Avg Weekly Wage$1,014
IRS Avg AGI$65,940

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.4%
16% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,498
County GDP$2,951M

Business (County)

Restaurants117
Healthcare128
Retail162
Manufacturing60

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,438
27% above US avg
Cost of Living87.80 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate3.55%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.5 min
Drive Alone96.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Goose Lake is $125,000, 56% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $271,642.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$125,000
56% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$271,642

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden27.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied94.6%
Housing Units99
Median Year Built1956

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,438
27% above US avg
Effective Rate3.55%
In Goose Lake, 39.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.1% of residents lack health insurance. 17.3% are current smokers. 22.4% report depression. 25.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Goose Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.1%
22% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure32.1%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.8%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.3%
24% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.5%
Physical Inactivity25.1%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.8%
Short Sleep33.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured7.1%
17% below US avg
Primary Care1:2,112
Dentists1:1,716
Mental Health1:537
Checkup Rate74.7%
Dental Visits66.3%
Premature Death8,790/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access76.9%
Healthcare Facilities128
Goose Lake has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.3 inches
10% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation699 ft (213 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density936/sq mi
Coordinates41.9676°N, 90.3818°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19045
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 22.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 18.9-point margin. 93.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.6%
D 39.8%

Winner: Republican by 18.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.0%
35% below US avg
High School+76.3%
Graduate Degree+4.5%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density936/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access93.0%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities128
Restaurants117
Retail Stores162

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.5 min
Drive Alone96.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.6%

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