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Iola, TX

Texas · Metropolitan Area

Iola is a small town in Texas with a population of 286. Residents earn $52,917 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
286 Population 278/sq mi density
$52,917 Median Income $31,242 per capita
$170,300 Home Value $488,159 Zillow
$743 Median Rent 47.0% income on rent
69°F Avg Temperature 301 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$52,917 median income, 10.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$170,300 home value, $743/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,917
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $170,300
40% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.1%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $743
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.3%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.0%
178% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.7%
30% lower than US avg

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

People

Population286
Median Age57.3 yrs
Density278/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 84%
Veterans6.2%

Economy

C+
Median Income$52,917
Per Capita$31,242
Unemployment10.0%
Poverty8.7%
County GDP$15,745M
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$170,300
Rent$743
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$488,159
Housing Units185
Rent Burden47.0%

Health

Obesity33.3%
Uninsured13.1%
Smoking13.4%
Depression25.1%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp69°F (21°C)
AQI42 (Good)
Rain41.8 in/yr
Sunny Days301/yr
Elevation339 ft (103 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.1%
High School+84.5%
Graduate+2.2%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute34 min
Broadband63.6%
Libraries4

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 affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, a high uninsured rate, 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 $52,917, 30% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.0%, unemployment is notably high. 8.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Iola is $170,300, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $743 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

17.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Iola enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F. Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. With 301 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 41.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Iola has a population of 286 with a density of 278 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 (84.3%), with 8.4% Hispanic.

Population

286
Total Population
278
People / sq mi
57.3yrs
Median Age
47% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.7%
Female 57.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Iola vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.3%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.7%
10% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Iola vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Iola is $52,917, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Iola vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,917
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,242
Avg Weekly Wage$1,046
IRS Avg AGI$81,868

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.0%
178% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.7%
30% below US avg
Establishments (County)5,241
County GDP$15,745M

Business (County)

Restaurants613
Healthcare491
Retail675
Manufacturing125

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,407
169% above US avg
Cost of Living97.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.52%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.7 min
Drive Alone94.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Iola is $170,300, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $743 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $488,159.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$170,300
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$488,159

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$743
36% below US avg
Rent Burden47.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$887
1 Bedroom$935
2 Bedrooms$1,149
3 Bedrooms$1,497
4 Bedrooms$1,733

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.1%
Housing Units185
Median Year Built1984

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,407
169% above US avg
Effective Rate5.52%
In Iola, 33.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 13.1% of residents lack health insurance. 13.4% are current smokers. 25.1% report depression. 23.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.3%
4% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure30.4%
Asthma10.3%
COPD5.7%
Cancer6.8%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.4%
4% below US avg
Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity23.6%
Depression25.1%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress12.6%
Short Sleep37.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.3%
Uninsured13.1%
52% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,203
Dentists1:1,741
Mental Health1:667
Checkup Rate72.3%
Dental Visits59.4%
Premature Death6,298/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.5/10
Exercise Access88.1%
Healthcare Facilities491
Iola has an average annual temperature of 69°F (21°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.8 inches. The area enjoys 301 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 85°F Jul (30°C)
Annual Average69.4°F
29% above US avg
January Average52°F (11°C)
July Average85°F (30°C)
Sunny Days301 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.8 inches
10% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation339 ft (103 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density278/sq mi
Coordinates30.7726°N, 96.0776°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS48041
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 17.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24.9-point margin. 63.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.7%
D 36.9%

Winner: Republican by 24.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.1%
49% below US avg
High School+84.5%
Graduate Degree+2.2%
School Test Score5.10
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density278/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access63.6%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities491
Restaurants613
Retail Stores675

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.7 min
Drive Alone94.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.9%

Nearby Cities

Madisonville, TX 4,510 pop · 16.0 mi College Station, TX 122,280 pop · 18.4 mi Bryan, TX 86,169 pop · 19.5 mi Lake Bryan, TX 1,880 pop · 23.6 mi Navasota, TX 8,170 pop · 26.7 mi Franklin, TX 1,498 pop · 29.9 mi Huntsville, TX 46,917 pop · 31.4 mi Hearne, TX 4,529 pop · 31.5 mi Montgomery, TX 2,272 pop · 34.8 mi New Waverly, TX 1,311 pop · 38.9 mi Somerville, TX 1,347 pop · 40.0 mi Caldwell, TX 4,238 pop · 40.5 mi Willis, TX 6,693 pop · 42.3 mi Trinity, TX 2,291 pop · 43.4 mi
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