Hills, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Hills is a small town in Iowa with a population of 892. Residents earn $81,875 per year, which is 9% above the national average.

4.2 /5.0
A Great
892 Population 1,088/sq mi density
$81,875 Median Income $39,417 per capita
$217,800 Home Value $248,800 Zillow
$1,179 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$81,875 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$217,800 home value, $1,179/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $81,875
9% higher than US avg
Home Value $217,800
23% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.2%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,179
1% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.4%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.4%
48% lower than US avg

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

People

Population892
Median Age41.1 yrs
Density1,088/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

A+
Median Income$81,875
Per Capita$39,417
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty6.4%
County GDP$12,640M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$217,800
Rent$1,179
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$248,800

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.4%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.5 in/yr
Elevation634 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.2%
High School+95.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 30% / D 68%
Commute19 min
Libraries8

Is Hills a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Hills receives an overall livability score of 4.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Hills stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Hills is $81,875, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. Only 6.4% 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 Hills is $217,800, 23% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,179 per month. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Hills experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.5 inches, including 27.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Hills has a population of 892 with a density of 1,088 people per square mile. The median age is 41.1 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.9%), with 3% Hispanic, 3.9% Black.

Population

892
Total Population
1,088
People / sq mi
41.1yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Hills vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.1%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.9%
63% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Hills vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Hills is $81,875, which is 9% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Hills vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$81,875
9% above US avg
Per Capita Income$39,417
Avg Weekly Wage$1,238
IRS Avg AGI$93,456

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.4%
48% below US avg
Establishments (County)5,140
County GDP$12,640M

Business (County)

Restaurants448
Healthcare493
Retail492
Manufacturing80

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,982
99% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.2 min
Work from Home14.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Hills is $217,800, 23% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,179 (1% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $248,800.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$217,800
23% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$248,800

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$149
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio98.9%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,179
1% above 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-Occupied62.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,982
99% above US avg
Effective Rate3.21%
In Hills, 36.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.4% report depression. 25.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.4%
13% above US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure33.4%
Asthma10.7%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.1%
Physical Inactivity25.0%
Depression23.4%
Mental Distress19.2%
Physical Distress13.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.0%
Checkup Rate75.8%
Premature Death4,821/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access89.7%
Healthcare Facilities493

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Hills 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 38.5 inches. 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)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.5 inches
1% above US avg
Snowfall27.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation634 ft (193 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density1,088/sq mi
Coordinates41.5566°N, 91.5363°W
County FIPS19103
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 38.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 30.3%
D 68.4%

Winner: Democrat by 38.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.2%
28% below US avg
High School+95.6%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,088/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities493
Restaurants448
Retail Stores492

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.2 min
Work from Home14.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Hills with another city: