Kensett, IA

Iowa

Kensett is a small town in Iowa with a population of 241. Residents earn $40,278 per year, which is 46% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
241 Population 239/sq mi density
$40,278 Median Income $29,627 per capita
$64,000 Home Value $187,989 Zillow
$629 Median Rent 32.5% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$40,278 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$64,000 home value, $629/mo rent
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,278
46% lower than US avg
Home Value $64,000
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.8%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $629
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.5%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.8%
85% lower than US avg

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

People

Population241
Median Age56.9 yrs
Density239/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans10.2%

Economy

B+
Median Income$40,278
Per Capita$29,627
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty1.8%
County GDP$485M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$64,000
Rent$629
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$187,989
Rent Burden32.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.5 in/yr
Elevation1,219 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.8%
High School+94.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute24 min
Broadband84.8%
Libraries7

Is Kensett a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kensett receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Kensett offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kensett is $40,278, 46% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. Only 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kensett is $64,000, 77% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $629 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Kensett has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.5 inches, including 40.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Kensett has a population of 241 with a density of 239 people per square mile. The median age is 56.9 years, 46% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.2%), with 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

241
Total Population
239
People / sq mi
56.9yrs
Median Age
46% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.8%
Female 50.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Kensett vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Kensett vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kensett is $40,278, which is 46% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Kensett vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,278
46% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,627
Avg Weekly Wage$893
IRS Avg AGI$71,143

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.8%
85% below US avg
Establishments (County)233
County GDP$485M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare11
Retail19
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,689
23% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.20%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.9 min
Drive Alone82.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Kensett is $64,000, 77% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $629 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $187,989.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$64,000
77% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$187,989

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$629
46% below US avg
Rent Burden32.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,689
23% below US avg
Effective Rate4.20%
In Kensett, 40.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 24.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.5%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure31.0%
Asthma10.1%
COPD6.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.0%
Physical Inactivity24.2%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.8%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death6,737/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access58.7%
Healthcare Facilities11

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Kensett has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average43.0°F
20% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.5 inches
7% below US avg
Snowfall40.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,219 ft (372 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density239/sq mi
Coordinates43.3534°N, 93.2108°W
County FIPS19195
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 6.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 28.2-point margin. 84.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.5%
D 35.3%

Winner: Republican by 28.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.8%
80% below US avg
High School+94.3%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density239/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access84.8%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants10
Retail Stores19

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.9 min
Drive Alone82.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare Kensett with another city: