Harper, IA

Iowa

Harper is a small town in Iowa with a population of 130. Residents earn $70,417 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
130 Population 1,444/sq mi density
$70,417 Median Income $19,866 per capita
$95,000 Home Value $165,985 Zillow
$850 Median Rent 40.0% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$70,417 median income, 7.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$95,000 home value, $850/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,417
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $95,000
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.7%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.2%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.2%
100% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.1%
43% lower than US avg

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

People

Population130
Median Age22.3 yrs
Density1,444/mi²
Male / Female38% / 62%
Largest GroupWhite 91%
Veterans80.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$70,417
Per Capita$19,866
Unemployment7.2%
Poverty7.1%
County GDP$443M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$95,000
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$165,985
Housing Units32
Rent Burden40.0%

Health

Obesity41.2%
Uninsured7.9%
Smoking17.7%
Depression23.8%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.4 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation810 ft (247 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.7%
High School+86.7%
Graduate+3.5%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute19 min
Broadband33.0%
Libraries6

Is Harper a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Harper receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. Harper offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Harper is $70,417, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 7.1% 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 Harper is $95,000, 66% 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 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Harper experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Harper has a population of 130 with a density of 1,444 people per square mile. The median age is 22.3 years, 43% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.8%).

Population

130
Total Population
1,444
People / sq mi
22.3yrs
Median Age
43% below US avg
0.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 37.7%
Female 62.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Harper vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Harper vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Harper is $70,417, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Harper vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,417
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,866
Avg Weekly Wage$913
IRS Avg AGI$63,794

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.2%
100% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.1%
43% below US avg
Establishments (County)316
County GDP$443M

Business (County)

Restaurants15
Healthcare16
Retail29
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,438
30% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.57%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.8 min
Drive Alone90.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Harper is $95,000, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $165,985.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$95,000
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$165,985

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Rent Burden40.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied87.9%
Housing Units32
Median Year Built1955

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,438
30% below US avg
Effective Rate2.57%
In Harper, 41.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.9% of residents lack health insurance. 17.7% are current smokers. 23.8% report depression. 26.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.2%
28% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.8%
Asthma11.2%
COPD6.9%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.7%
26% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.6%
Physical Inactivity26.5%
Depression23.8%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress13.4%
Short Sleep34.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.4%
Uninsured7.9%
8% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.6%
Dental Visits65.5%
Premature Death8,349/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access36.3%
Healthcare Facilities16
Harper has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.4 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) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.9°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.4 inches
2% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation810 ft (247 m)
Area0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Population Density1,444/sq mi
Coordinates41.3637°N, 92.0509°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19107
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.5-point margin. 33.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.2%
D 23.7%

Winner: Republican by 51.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.7%
36% below US avg
High School+86.7%
Graduate Degree+3.5%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,444/sq mi
Total Area0.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access33.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants15
Retail Stores29

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.8 min
Drive Alone90.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Sigourney, IA 1,866 pop · 8.2 mi Wellman, IA 1,539 pop · 13.3 mi Washington, IA 7,314 pop · 19.1 mi Kalona, IA 2,679 pop · 20.0 mi Williamsburg, IA 3,347 pop · 21.2 mi Fairfield, IA 9,438 pop · 25.1 mi Wayland, IA 1,140 pop · 25.3 mi Riverside, IA 1,040 pop · 26.1 mi Montezuma, IA 1,257 pop · 29.0 mi Marengo, IA 2,823 pop · 29.9 mi Ottumwa, IA 25,352 pop · 30.5 mi Oskaloosa, IA 11,492 pop · 31.0 mi Tiffin, IA 5,271 pop · 31.3 mi New Sharon, IA 1,147 pop · 32.0 mi
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