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Guernsey, IA

Iowa

Guernsey is a small town in Iowa with a population of 54. Residents earn $67,917 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
54 Population 96/sq mi density
$67,917 Median Income $77,711 per capita
$76,000 Home Value $206,673 Zillow
$850 Median Rent 18.1% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$67,917 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$76,000 home value, $850/mo rent
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
2.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,917
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $76,000
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 2.2%
93% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.4%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.5%
1% higher than US avg

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

People

Population54
Median Age55.7 yrs
Density96/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans50.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$67,917
Per Capita$77,711
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty12.5%
County GDP$1,654M
Commute55 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$76,000
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$206,673
Housing Units32
Rent Burden18.1%

Health

Obesity42.4%
Uninsured7.3%
Smoking17.5%
Depression23.8%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.0 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation816 ft (249 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+2.2%
High School+75.6%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 41%
Commute55 min
Broadband31.0%
Libraries3

Is Guernsey a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Guernsey 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. Areas to be aware of include long commute times, high obesity rates. Guernsey offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Guernsey is $67,917, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 12.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 55 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Guernsey is $76,000, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 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

2.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 75.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Guernsey experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.0 inches, including 27.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Guernsey has a population of 54 with a density of 96 people per square mile. The median age is 55.7 years, 43% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.1%).

Population

54
Total Population
96
People / sq mi
55.7yrs
Median Age
43% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.6%
Female 44.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Guernsey vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Guernsey vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Guernsey is $67,917, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 55 minutes.

Income: Guernsey vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,917
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$77,711
Avg Weekly Wage$1,108
IRS Avg AGI$77,315

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.5%
1% above US avg
Establishments (County)699
County GDP$1,654M

Business (County)

Restaurants47
Healthcare62
Retail80
Manufacturing30

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,683
34% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.16%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time54.8 min
Drive Alone89.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Guernsey is $76,000, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $206,673.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$76,000
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$206,673

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Rent Burden18.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.4%
Housing Units32
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,683
34% above US avg
Effective Rate6.16%
In Guernsey, 42.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.3% of residents lack health insurance. 17.5% are current smokers. 23.8% report depression. 25.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.4%
32% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure30.9%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.7%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.5%
25% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.6%
Physical Inactivity25.2%
Depression23.8%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress12.8%
Short Sleep34.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.8%
Uninsured7.3%
15% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.3%
Dental Visits63.5%
Premature Death6,568/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access70.8%
Healthcare Facilities62
Guernsey has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.0 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.0 inches
5% below US avg
Snowfall27.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation816 ft (249 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density96/sq mi
Coordinates41.6506°N, 92.3460°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19157
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 2.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (93% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 17-point margin. 31.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.8%
D 40.8%

Winner: Republican by 17 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+2.2%
93% below US avg
High School+75.6%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density96/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access31.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities62
Restaurants47
Retail Stores80

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute54.8 min
Drive Alone89.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.4%

Nearby Cities

Brooklyn, IA 1,565 pop · 7.6 mi Montezuma, IA 1,257 pop · 10.5 mi Williamsburg, IA 3,347 pop · 17.2 mi Belle Plaine, IA 2,412 pop · 17.3 mi Marengo, IA 2,823 pop · 17.5 mi New Sharon, IA 1,147 pop · 20.1 mi Grinnell, IA 9,527 pop · 20.4 mi Sigourney, IA 1,866 pop · 23.1 mi Tama, IA 3,079 pop · 24.7 mi Sully, IA 1,092 pop · 26.4 mi Toledo, IA 2,079 pop · 26.4 mi Oskaloosa, IA 11,492 pop · 29.1 mi Wellman, IA 1,539 pop · 29.2 mi Newhall, IA 1,012 pop · 30.7 mi
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