Independence, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Buchanan County County

3.3 /5.0
B Good
6,149 Population 1,020/sq mi density
$72,250 Median Income $36,517 per capita
$156,900 Home Value $223,116 Zillow
$769 Median Rent 27.3% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
161 Violent Crime/100K 691 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$72,250 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$156,900 home value, $769/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
161 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.0% bachelor's degree or higher

Independence, IA

At a Glance

Median Income
$72,250
4% below
$36,517 per capita
Home Value
$156,900
44% below
Zillow: $223,116
Median Rent
$769/mo
34% below
27.3% of income on rent
Violent Crime
161/100K
58% below
691/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
24.0%
29% below
96.6% high school+
Unemployment
1.6%
56% below
6.6% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.3%
16% above
15.1% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
47°F

How Independence Compares to the U.S. Average

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

Income
96%
Home Value
56%
Rent
66%
Poverty
53%
Bachelor's
71%
Unemployment
44%
Crime
42%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Independence a Good Place to Live?

B
3.3 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Independence residents earn a median household income of $72,250 , which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $36,517. The unemployment rate stands at 1.6% (56% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 6.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 638 business establishments, including 37 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Independence is $156,900 , 44% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $223,116. Median rent is $769/month, with 27.3% 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 1966.

Safety & Crime

Independence reports 161 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 58% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 691/100K.

Education

24.0% of adults in Independence hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below the national average). 96.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.7/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Independence has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.4 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population6,149
Median Age41.2 yrs
Density1,020/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born3.2%
Veterans6.7%

Economy

A
Median Income$72,250
Per Capita$36,517
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty6.6%
County GDP$1,087M
Avg Weekly Wage$962

Housing

A+
Home Value$156,900
Rent$769
Ownership70.8%
Zillow$223,116
Housing Units2,847
Rent Burden27.3%

Crime

F
Violent161/100K
Property691/100K

Health

Obesity37.3%
Diabetes8.9%
Smoking15.1%
Heart Disease5.0%
Premature Death5,284/100K

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
Rain37.4 in/yr
Elevation915 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.0%
High School+96.6%
Graduate+8.3%
School Score5.7/10

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute22 min
Broadband87.5%
Internet Speed75 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries6

Did You Know?

Independence was founded in 1847.
The median home in Independence was built in 1966.
The nearest airport is Waterloo Regional (26 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.404 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
12.4% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 1 fatal vehicle crashes.