Holy Cross, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Holy Cross is a small town in Iowa with a population of 264. Residents earn $47,188 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
264 Population 800/sq mi density
$47,188 Median Income $39,081 per capita
$184,400 Home Value $225,488 Zillow
$334 Median Rent 12.7% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$47,188 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$184,400 home value, $334/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,188
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $184,400
35% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.4%
39% lower than US avg
Median Rent $334
71% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.3%
7% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.8%
77% lower than US avg

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

People

Population264
Median Age48.7 yrs
Density800/mi²
Male / Female55% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans8.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$47,188
Per Capita$39,081
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty2.8%
County GDP$9,160M
Commute34 min

Housing

A
Home Value$184,400
Rent$334
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$225,488
Rent Burden12.7%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity34.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.8%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.8 in/yr
Elevation1,219 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.4%
High School+95.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute34 min
Broadband82.4%
Libraries8

Is Holy Cross a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Holy Cross is $47,188, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. Only 2.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Holy Cross is $184,400, 35% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $334 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

20.4% 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

Holy Cross experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.8 inches, including 36.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Holy Cross has a population of 264 with a density of 800 people per square mile. The median age is 48.7 years, 25% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.6%), with 3.8% Hispanic.

Population

264
Total Population
800
People / sq mi
48.7yrs
Median Age
25% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.5%
Female 45.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Holy Cross vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.7%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.3%
83% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Holy Cross vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Holy Cross is $47,188, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Holy Cross vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,188
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,081
Avg Weekly Wage$1,128
IRS Avg AGI$86,704

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.8%
77% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,728
County GDP$9,160M

Business (County)

Restaurants242
Healthcare316
Retail397
Manufacturing149

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,807
66% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.15%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.6 min
Drive Alone82.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Holy Cross is $184,400, 35% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $334 (71% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $225,488.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$184,400
35% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$225,488

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$334
71% below US avg
Rent Burden12.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied70.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,807
66% above US avg
Effective Rate3.15%
In Holy Cross, 34.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.8% report depression. 21.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Holy Cross vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.3%
7% above US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure26.9%
Asthma9.9%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.2%
Physical Inactivity21.3%
Depression20.8%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress11.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.2%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death6,844/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access82.6%
Healthcare Facilities316

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Holy Cross has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average48.4°F
10% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.8 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall36.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,219 ft (372 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density800/sq mi
Coordinates42.6011°N, 90.9962°W
County FIPS19061
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 20.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 8.6-point margin. 82.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.7%
D 45.1%

Winner: Republican by 8.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.4%
39% below US avg
High School+95.6%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density800/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.4%
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities316
Restaurants242
Retail Stores397

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.6 min
Drive Alone82.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.2%

Nearby Cities

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