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Houghton, IA

Iowa

Houghton is a small town in Iowa with a population of 87. Residents earn $104,375 per year, which is 39% above the national average.

4.7 /5.0
A+ Excellent
87 Population 290/sq mi density
$104,375 Median Income $52,783 per capita
$212,500 Home Value
$700 Median Rent 20.0% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
A+
Overall
4.7 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$104,375 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$212,500 home value, $700/mo rent
A
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $104,375
39% higher than US avg
Home Value $212,500
25% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.5%
11% higher than US avg
Median Rent $700
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.0%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.2%
91% lower than US avg

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

People

Population87
Median Age43.3 yrs
Density290/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 85%
Veterans64.0%

Economy

A+
Median Income$104,375
Per Capita$52,783
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty1.2%
County GDP$2,264M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$212,500
Rent$700
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units36
Rent Burden20.0%

Health

Obesity34.0%
Uninsured6.4%
Smoking14.7%
Depression20.0%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.2 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation719 ft (219 m)

Education

A
Bachelor's+37.5%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+3.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute18 min
Broadband37.0%
Libraries5

Is Houghton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Houghton receives an overall livability score of 4.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, affordable housing. Houghton stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Houghton is $104,375, which is significantly higher than the national average — 39% above $75,149. This places Houghton among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. Only 1.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Houghton is $212,500, 25% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $700 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Houghton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.2 inches, including 26.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Houghton has a population of 87 with a density of 290 people per square mile. The median age is 43.3 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.1%), with 2.3% Hispanic.

Population

87
Total Population
290
People / sq mi
43.3yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.6%
Female 49.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Houghton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Houghton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Houghton is $104,375, which is 39% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Houghton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$104,375
39% above US avg
Per Capita Income$52,783
Avg Weekly Wage$1,103
IRS Avg AGI$68,118

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.2%
91% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,061
County GDP$2,264M

Business (County)

Restaurants83
Healthcare88
Retail108
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,062
16% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.91%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.9 min
Drive Alone81.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Houghton is $212,500, 25% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $700 (40% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$212,500
25% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$700
40% below US avg
Rent Burden20.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.8%
Housing Units36
Median Year Built1973

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,062
16% above US avg
Effective Rate1.91%
In Houghton, 34.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.4% of residents lack health insurance. 14.7% are current smokers. 20.0% report depression. 20.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.0%
6% above US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure28.7%
Asthma9.9%
COPD5.4%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.7%
5% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.5%
Physical Inactivity20.9%
Depression20.0%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress11.5%
Short Sleep35.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured6.4%
26% below US avg
Checkup Rate73.9%
Dental Visits70.0%
Premature Death9,251/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access74.4%
Healthcare Facilities88
Houghton has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.2 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.7°F
4% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.2 inches
3% above US avg
Snowfall26.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation719 ft (219 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density290/sq mi
Coordinates40.7837°N, 91.6100°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19111
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 37.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (11% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.8-point margin. 37.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.9%
D 35%

Winner: Republican by 27.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.5%
11% above US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+3.3%
School Test Score5.73
A Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density290/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access37.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities88
Restaurants83
Retail Stores108

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.9 min
Drive Alone81.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.5%

Nearby Cities

Mount Pleasant, IA 9,093 pop · 12.8 mi New London, IA 2,402 pop · 14.6 mi Fort Madison, IA 10,221 pop · 17.7 mi Keosauqua, IA 1,014 pop · 18.6 mi West Burlington, IA 3,184 pop · 22.9 mi Fairfield, IA 9,438 pop · 24.2 mi Winfield, IA 1,065 pop · 25.3 mi Wayland, IA 1,140 pop · 25.3 mi Burlington, IA 23,800 pop · 25.5 mi Kahoka, MO 2,083 pop · 25.8 mi Mediapolis, IA 1,930 pop · 28.0 mi Keokuk, IA 9,748 pop · 28.1 mi Hamilton, IL 2,738 pop · 30.1 mi Warsaw, IL 1,511 pop · 31.4 mi
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