Lake Mills, IA

Iowa

Lake Mills is a small town in Iowa with a population of 2,054. Residents earn $70,333 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
2,054 Population 758/sq mi density
$70,333 Median Income $33,609 per capita
$127,100 Home Value $165,001 Zillow
$615 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$70,333 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$127,100 home value, $615/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,333
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $127,100
55% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.3%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $615
47% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.2%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.7%
43% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,054
Median Age43.8 yrs
Density758/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

B+
Median Income$70,333
Per Capita$33,609
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty17.7%
County GDP$690M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$127,100
Rent$615
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$165,001

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.7%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.9 in/yr
Elevation1,291 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.3%
High School+94.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute16 min
Libraries5

Is Lake Mills a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake Mills 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. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, high obesity rates. Lake Mills offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake Mills is $70,333, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. The poverty rate of 17.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Mills is $127,100, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $615 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

17.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake Mills has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Lake Mills has a population of 2,054 with a density of 758 people per square mile. The median age is 43.8 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.2%).

Population

2,054
Total Population
758
People / sq mi
43.8yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.8%
Female 55.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Mills vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.3%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.7%
43% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Mills vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Mills is $70,333, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Lake Mills vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,333
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,609
Avg Weekly Wage$904
IRS Avg AGI$70,658

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.7%
43% above US avg
Establishments (County)393
County GDP$690M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare31
Retail49
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,053
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.40%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.7 min
Work from Home3.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Mills is $127,100, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $615 (47% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $165,001.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$127,100
55% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$165,001

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$615
47% 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-Occupied67.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,053
13% below US avg
Effective Rate2.40%
In Lake Mills, 39.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.7% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lake Mills vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.2%
22% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure30.6%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.9%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.7%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression21.7%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress11.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Checkup Rate75.4%
Premature Death5,991/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access85.3%
Healthcare Facilities31

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Lake Mills has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.9°F
17% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.9 inches
5% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,291 ft (393 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²)
Population Density758/sq mi
Coordinates43.4171°N, 93.5316°W
County FIPS19189
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 17.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.6%
D 33.9%

Winner: Republican by 30.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.3%
49% below US avg
High School+94.9%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density758/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities31
Restaurants21
Retail Stores49

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.7 min
Work from Home3.8%

Nearby Cities

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