Kalona, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Kalona is a small town in Iowa with a population of 2,679. Residents earn $72,766 per year, which is 3% below the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
2,679 Population 1,240/sq mi density
$72,766 Median Income $41,710 per capita
$221,300 Home Value $307,557 Zillow
$819 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$72,766 median income, 0.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$221,300 home value, $819/mo rent
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $72,766
3% lower than US avg
Home Value $221,300
21% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 31.0%
8% lower than US avg
Median Rent $819
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.3%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.5%
96% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,679
Median Age41.0 yrs
Density1,240/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A+
Median Income$72,766
Per Capita$41,710
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty0.5%
County GDP$1,863M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$221,300
Rent$819
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$307,557

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Elevation667 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+31.0%
High School+90.8%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute22 min
Libraries3

Is Kalona a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kalona receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Kalona stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kalona is $72,766, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. Only 0.5% 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 Kalona is $221,300, 21% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $819 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

31.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Kalona experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches, including 25.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Kalona has a population of 2,679 with a density of 1,240 people per square mile. The median age is 41.0 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.2%).

Population

2,679
Total Population
1,240
People / sq mi
41.0yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
2.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.8%
Female 50.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Kalona vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.8%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.2%
46% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Kalona vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kalona is $72,766, which is 3% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Kalona vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$72,766
3% below US avg
Per Capita Income$41,710
Avg Weekly Wage$933
IRS Avg AGI$77,685

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.5%
96% below US avg
Establishments (County)858
County GDP$1,863M

Business (County)

Restaurants43
Healthcare61
Retail89
Manufacturing36

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,261
22% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.93%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.1 min
Work from Home12.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Kalona is $221,300, 21% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $819 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $307,557.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$221,300
21% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$307,557

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$131
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio100.4%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$819
30% 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-Occupied70.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,261
22% above US avg
Effective Rate1.93%
In Kalona, 36.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 21.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.3%
13% above US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma9.9%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.8%
Physical Inactivity21.6%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress11.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.7%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death6,076/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access74.2%
Healthcare Facilities61

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Kalona has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.3°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall25.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation667 ft (203 m)
Area2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²)
Population Density1,240/sq mi
Coordinates41.4874°N, 91.7018°W
County FIPS19183
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 31.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (8% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.6%
D 37.2%

Winner: Republican by 24.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+31.0%
8% below US avg
High School+90.8%
School Test Score5.73
B Education Grade (3.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,240/sq mi
Total Area2.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities61
Restaurants43
Retail Stores89

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.1 min
Work from Home12.8%

Nearby Cities

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