Indianola, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Indianola is a small city in Iowa with a population of 15,918. Residents earn $78,125 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
15,918 Population 1,391/sq mi density
$78,125 Median Income $36,388 per capita
$228,100 Home Value $304,044 Zillow
$966 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
527 Violent Crime/100K 2,312 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$78,125 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$228,100 home value, $966/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
527 violent crimes/100K (39% above avg)
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
33.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,125
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $228,100
19% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 527/100K
39% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 33.5%
1% lower than US avg
Median Rent $966
17% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.5%
72% lower than US avg

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

People

Population15,918
Median Age35.2 yrs
Density1,391/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A+
Median Income$78,125
Per Capita$36,388
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty3.5%
County GDP$1,885M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$228,100
Rent$966
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$304,044

Crime

F
Violent527/100K
Property2,312/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault428/100K
Burglary566/100K

Health

Obesity39.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.0%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.8 in/yr
Elevation959 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+33.5%
High School+97.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute22 min
EV Stations3
Libraries6

Is Indianola a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Indianola receives an overall livability score of 3.5 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 elevated crime rates, high obesity rates. Indianola offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Indianola is $78,125, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Indianola is $228,100, 19% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $966 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 527 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,312 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 33.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 97.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Indianola experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.8 inches, including 30.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Indianola has a population of 15,918 with a density of 1,391 people per square mile. The median age is 35.2 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.1%), with 1.1% Black.

Population

15,918
Total Population
1,391
People / sq mi
35.2yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
11.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.6%
Female 53.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Indianola vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.8%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.2%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Indianola vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Indianola is $78,125, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Indianola vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,125
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$36,388
Avg Weekly Wage$985
IRS Avg AGI$93,680

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.5%
72% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,410
County GDP$1,885M

Business (County)

Restaurants83
Healthcare91
Retail108
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,817
66% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.55%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.9 min
Work from Home11.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Indianola is $228,100, 19% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $966 (17% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $304,044.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$228,100
19% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$304,044
Median List Price$280,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$280,000
$/Sq Ft$169
Homes Sold10
Sale-to-List Ratio97.7%
Price Drops20.4%
Inventory49

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$966
17% below 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-Occupied69.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,817
66% above US avg
Effective Rate2.55%
In Indianola, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.0% report depression. 21.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity21.9%
Depression22.0%
Mental Distress17.0%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.3%
Checkup Rate75.3%
Premature Death6,398/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access76.2%
Healthcare Facilities91
Indianola has a violent crime rate of 527 per 100,000 residents, 39% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,312 per 100,000 (18% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent526.9/100K
39% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape85.6/100K
Robbery13.2/100K
Assault428.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,311.8/100K
18% above US avg
Burglary566.4/100K
Theft1,633.4/100K
Vehicle Theft112.0/100K
Arson105.4/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Indianola has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.8 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall30.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation959 ft (292 m)
Area11.4 sq mi (29.6 km²)
Population Density1,391/sq mi
Coordinates41.3630°N, 93.5655°W
County FIPS19181
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 33.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (1% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 20.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.7%
D 38.9%

Winner: Republican by 20.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+33.5%
1% below US avg
High School+97.2%
School Test Score5.73
B+ Education Grade (3.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,391/sq mi
Total Area11.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities91
Restaurants83
Retail Stores108

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.9 min
Work from Home11.6%

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