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Iola, IL

Illinois

Iola is a small town in Illinois with a population of 71. Residents earn $45,000 per year, which is 40% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
71 Population 74/sq mi density
$45,000 Median Income $26,972 per capita
$71,700 Home Value
56°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$45,000 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$71,700 home value
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,000
40% lower than US avg
Home Value $71,700
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.2%
85% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.6%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.5%
25% higher than US avg

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

People

Population71
Median Age57.3 yrs
Density74/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans64.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$45,000
Per Capita$26,972
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty15.5%
County GDP$699M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$71,700
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units31
Rent Burden19.5%

Health

Obesity40.6%
Uninsured9.0%
Smoking18.1%
Depression24.3%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F (13°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain46.4 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation525 ft (160 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.2%
High School+82.8%
Graduate+6.4%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 83% / D 16%
Commute28 min
Broadband36.0%
Libraries1

Is Iola a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Iola receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Iola offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Iola is $45,000, 40% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 15.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Iola is $71,700, 75% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Iola enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 46.4 inches, including 8.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Iola has a population of 71 with a density of 74 people per square mile. The median age is 57.3 years, 47% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

71
Total Population
74
People / sq mi
57.3yrs
Median Age
47% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.9%
Female 52.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Iola vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Iola vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Iola is $45,000, which is 40% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Iola vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,000
40% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,972
Avg Weekly Wage$977
IRS Avg AGI$59,796

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.5%
25% above US avg
Establishments (County)314
County GDP$699M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare43
Retail47
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,567
2% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.97%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.4 min
Drive Alone95.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Iola is $71,700, 75% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$71,700
75% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden19.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.6%
Housing Units31
Median Year Built1952

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,567
2% above US avg
Effective Rate4.97%
In Iola, 40.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.0% of residents lack health insurance. 18.1% are current smokers. 24.3% report depression. 24.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.6%
26% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure33.1%
Asthma10.6%
COPD8.0%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.1%
29% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.3%
Physical Inactivity24.4%
Depression24.3%
Mental Distress19.7%
Physical Distress14.1%
Short Sleep36.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.8%
Uninsured9.0%
5% above US avg
Primary Care1:4,381
Dentists1:2,175
Mental Health1:542
Checkup Rate74.1%
Dental Visits59.0%
Premature Death8,233/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access45.3%
Healthcare Facilities43
Iola has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.4 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average32°F (-0°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.4 inches
22% above US avg
Snowfall8.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation525 ft (160 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density74/sq mi
Coordinates38.8341°N, 88.6278°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17025
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 67.3-point margin. 36.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 82.9%
D 15.6%

Winner: Republican by 67.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.2%
85% below US avg
High School+82.8%
Graduate Degree+6.4%
School Test Score5.34
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density74/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access36.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities43
Restaurants24
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.4 min
Drive Alone95.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Louisville, IL 1,288 pop · 7.9 mi Flora, IL 4,860 pop · 14.3 mi Altamont, IL 2,500 pop · 16.6 mi St. Elmo, IL 1,401 pop · 17.7 mi Effingham, IL 12,258 pop · 20.2 mi Dieterich, IL 1,171 pop · 20.5 mi Teutopolis, IL 1,693 pop · 22.1 mi Salem, IL 7,341 pop · 22.9 mi Newton, IL 2,852 pop · 27.1 mi Vandalia, IL 6,041 pop · 27.7 mi Olney, IL 8,864 pop · 30.2 mi Central City, IL 1,123 pop · 33.4 mi Wayne City, IL 1,050 pop · 33.7 mi Fairfield, IL 4,658 pop · 34.2 mi
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