Lacona, IA

Iowa

Lacona is a small town in Iowa with a population of 307. Residents earn $70,647 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
307 Population 930/sq mi density
$70,647 Median Income $36,118 per capita
$92,500 Home Value $294,912 Zillow
$800 Median Rent 17.5% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$70,647 median income, 3.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$92,500 home value, $800/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,647
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $92,500
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.8%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $800
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.8%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.5%
56% lower than US avg

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

People

Population307
Median Age53.6 yrs
Density930/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans12.6%

Economy

A
Median Income$70,647
Per Capita$36,118
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty5.5%
County GDP$362M
Commute39 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$92,500
Rent$800
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$294,912
Rent Burden17.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.3 in/yr
Elevation864 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.8%
High School+97.4%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 25%
Commute39 min
Broadband88.3%
Libraries1

Is Lacona a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lacona receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include long commute times, high obesity rates. Lacona offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lacona is $70,647, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate 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 Lacona is $92,500, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $800 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lacona experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.3 inches, including 24.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Lacona has a population of 307 with a density of 930 people per square mile. The median age is 53.6 years, 38% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.5%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

307
Total Population
930
People / sq mi
53.6yrs
Median Age
38% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.7%
Female 44.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Lacona vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lacona vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lacona is $70,647, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 5.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 39 minutes.

Income: Lacona vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,647
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,118
Avg Weekly Wage$975
IRS Avg AGI$60,757

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate5.5%
56% below US avg
Establishments (County)252
County GDP$362M

Business (County)

Restaurants20
Healthcare18
Retail30
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,364
25% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.72%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time39.1 min
Drive Alone82.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Lacona is $92,500, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $800 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $294,912.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$92,500
67% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$294,912
Median List Price$162,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$162,900
$/Sq Ft$178
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.4%
Price Drops33.3%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$800
31% below US avg
Rent Burden17.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,364
25% above US avg
Effective Rate4.72%
In Lacona, 38.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.4% report depression. 21.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.8%
21% above US avg
Diabetes8.1%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure28.8%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.2%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.2%
Physical Inactivity21.5%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress11.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.0%
Checkup Rate74.6%
Premature Death9,105/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access63.0%
Healthcare Facilities18

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Lacona has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.3°F
11% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.3 inches
2% below US avg
Snowfall24.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation864 ft (263 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density930/sq mi
Coordinates41.1901°N, 93.3851°W
County FIPS19117
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 48.1-point margin. 88.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.3%
D 25.2%

Winner: Republican by 48.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.8%
50% below US avg
High School+97.4%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density930/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.3%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants20
Retail Stores30

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute39.1 min
Drive Alone82.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.7%

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