Harper, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Keokuk County County

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 $173,684 Zillow
$850 Median Rent 40.0% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$70,417 median income, 9.0% 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

Harper, IA

At a Glance

Median Income
$70,417
6% below
$19,866 per capita
Home Value
$95,000
66% below
Zillow: $173,684
Median Rent
$850/mo
27% below
40.0% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
21.7%
36% below
86.7% high school+
Unemployment
9.0%
150% above
7.1% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
41.2%
28% above
17.7% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
49°F

How Harper Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Harper's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
94%
Home Value
34%
Rent
73%
Poverty
57%
Bachelor's
64%
Unemployment
250%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Harper a Good Place to Live?

B+
3.7 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Harper residents earn a median household income of $70,417 , which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $19,866. The unemployment rate stands at 9.0% (150% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 7.1% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 316 business establishments, including 15 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Harper is $95,000 , 66% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $173,684. Median rent is $850/month, with 40.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1955.

Education

21.7% of adults in Harper hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below the national average). 86.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.6/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

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 totals 37.4 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population130
Median Age22.3 yrs
Density1,444/mi²
Male / Female38% / 62%
Foreign Born0.0%
Veterans7.5%

Economy

B
Median Income$70,417
Per Capita$19,866
Unemployment9.0%
Poverty7.1%
County GDP$443M
Avg Weekly Wage$913

Housing

A+
Home Value$95,000
Rent$850
Ownership87.9%
Zillow$173,684
Housing Units32
Rent Burden40.0%

Health

Obesity41.2%
Diabetes10.1%
Smoking17.7%
Heart Disease5.5%
Premature Death8,349/100K

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
Rain37.4 in/yr
Elevation810 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.7%
High School+86.7%
Graduate+3.5%
School Score5.6/10

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute19 min
Broadband93.9%
Internet Speed44 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries6

Did You Know?

The median home in Harper was built in 1955.
The nearest airport is Ottumwa Regional (27 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.444 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
4.6% of the population has a disability.