Iola, KS

Kansas

Iola is a small city in Kansas with a population of 5,368. Residents earn $50,417 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
5,368 Population 1,201/sq mi density
$50,417 Median Income $25,689 per capita
$78,100 Home Value $85,816 Zillow
$689 Median Rent 26.2% income on rent
56°F Avg Temperature
233 Violent Crime/100K 3,381 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$50,417 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$78,100 home value, $689/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
233 violent crimes/100K (39% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,417
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $78,100
72% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 233/100K
39% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.9%
32% lower than US avg
Median Rent $689
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.1%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.5%
23% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,368
Median Age38.4 yrs
Density1,201/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,417
Per Capita$25,689
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty9.5%
County GDP$703M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$78,100
Rent$689
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$85,816
Rent Burden26.2%

Crime

F
Violent233/100K
Property3,381/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault179/100K
Burglary519/100K

Health

Obesity38.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.9%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain42.0 in/yr
Elevation968 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.9%
High School+91.7%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute20 min
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Iola a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Iola receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. 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 $50,417, 33% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Iola is $78,100, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $689 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Iola is below the national average at 233 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,381 per 100,000, 73% above the national average.

Education

22.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Iola enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.0 inches, including 7.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Iola has a population of 5,368 with a density of 1,201 people per square mile. The median age is 38.4 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.6%), with 3.1% Hispanic, 4% Black.

Population

5,368
Total Population
1,201
People / sq mi
38.4yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
4.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

Iola vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.2%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.8%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Iola vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Iola is $50,417, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Iola vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,417
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,689
Avg Weekly Wage$882
IRS Avg AGI$51,616

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.5%
23% below US avg
Establishments (County)400
County GDP$703M

Business (County)

Restaurants33
Healthcare44
Retail56
Manufacturing22

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,117
11% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.99%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.6 min
Work from Home2.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Iola is $78,100, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $689 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $85,816.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$78,100
72% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$85,816

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$689
41% below US avg
Rent Burden26.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,117
11% below US avg
Effective Rate3.99%
In Iola, 38.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.9% report depression. 28.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.1%
19% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure31.5%
Asthma10.6%
COPD7.2%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.5%
Physical Inactivity28.2%
Depression23.9%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.7%
Checkup Rate74.8%
Premature Death10,475/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access75.7%
Healthcare Facilities44
Iola has a violent crime rate of 233 per 100,000 residents, 39% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,381 per 100,000 (73% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent232.6/100K
39% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape53.7/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault178.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,381.0/100K
73% above US avg
Burglary518.8/100K
Theft2,772.8/100K
Vehicle Theft89.5/100K
Arson53.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Iola has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average55.9°F
4% above US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.0 inches
11% above US avg
Snowfall7.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation968 ft (295 m)
Area4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²)
Population Density1,201/sq mi
Coordinates37.9274°N, 95.4007°W
County FIPS20001
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 22.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72%
D 25.8%

Winner: Republican by 46.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.9%
32% below US avg
High School+91.7%
School Test Score5.80
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,201/sq mi
Total Area4.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities44
Restaurants33
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.6 min
Work from Home2.1%

Nearby Cities

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