Jamaica, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Jamaica is a small town in Iowa with a population of 202. Residents earn $53,750 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
202 Population 546/sq mi density
$53,750 Median Income $33,621 per capita
$65,700 Home Value $176,121 Zillow
$536 Median Rent 16.3% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$53,750 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$65,700 home value, $536/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,750
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $65,700
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.9%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $536
54% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.4%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.5%
9% higher than US avg

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

People

Population202
Median Age38.0 yrs
Density546/mi²
Male / Female53% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans7.1%

Economy

B+
Median Income$53,750
Per Capita$33,621
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty13.5%
County GDP$753M
Commute39 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$65,700
Rent$536
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$176,121
Rent Burden16.3%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.5%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.1 in/yr
Elevation1,040 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.9%
High School+87.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute39 min
Broadband96.0%
Libraries8

Is Jamaica a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Jamaica receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times. Jamaica offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Jamaica is $53,750, 28% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. 13.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 39 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Jamaica is $65,700, 77% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $536 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

17.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Jamaica experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Jamaica has a population of 202 with a density of 546 people per square mile. The median age is 38.0 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

202
Total Population
546
People / sq mi
38.0yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.5%
Female 47.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Jamaica vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Jamaica vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Jamaica is $53,750, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 39 minutes.

Income: Jamaica vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,750
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,621
Avg Weekly Wage$1,041
IRS Avg AGI$87,854

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.5%
9% above US avg
Establishments (County)395
County GDP$753M

Business (County)

Restaurants27
Healthcare27
Retail36
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,696
63% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate8.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time39.0 min
Drive Alone81.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Jamaica is $65,700, 77% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $536 (54% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $176,121.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$65,700
77% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$176,121

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$536
54% below US avg
Rent Burden16.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied70.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,696
63% above US avg
Effective Rate8.67%
In Jamaica, 37.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.5% report depression. 23.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.4%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.4%
Asthma9.4%
COPD5.2%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.0%
Physical Inactivity23.8%
Depression19.5%
Mental Distress16.2%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Checkup Rate73.7%
Premature Death6,483/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access47.2%
Healthcare Facilities27

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Jamaica has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average48.9°F
9% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.1 inches
5% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,040 ft (317 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density546/sq mi
Coordinates41.8454°N, 94.3070°W
County FIPS19077
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 17.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38-point margin. 96.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.3%
D 30.3%

Winner: Republican by 38 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.9%
47% below US avg
High School+87.0%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density546/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access96.0%
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities27
Restaurants27
Retail Stores36

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute39.0 min
Drive Alone81.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.1%

Nearby Cities

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