Laurens, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Pocahontas County County

3.4 /5.0
B Good
1,234 Population 1,624/sq mi density
$56,354 Median Income $32,070 per capita
$71,000 Home Value $75,043 Zillow
$763 Median Rent 19.5% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$56,354 median income, 7.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$71,000 home value, $763/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.3% bachelor's degree or higher

Laurens, IA

At a Glance

Median Income
$56,354
25% below
$32,070 per capita
Home Value
$71,000
75% below
Zillow: $75,043
Median Rent
$763/mo
34% below
19.5% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
14.3%
58% below
89.9% high school+
Unemployment
7.7%
114% above
7.5% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.9%
18% above
18.4% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
46°F

How Laurens Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Laurens's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
75%
Home Value
25%
Rent
66%
Poverty
60%
Bachelor's
42%
Unemployment
214%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Laurens a Good Place to Live?

B
3.4 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Laurens residents earn a median household income of $56,354 , which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $32,070. The unemployment rate stands at 7.7% (114% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 265 business establishments, including 12 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Laurens is $71,000 , 75% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $75,043. Median rent is $763/month, with 19.5% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1952.

Education

14.3% of adults in Laurens hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% below the national average). 89.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.6/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Laurens has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.0 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population1,234
Median Age48.0 yrs
Density1,624/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born2.9%
Veterans10.6%

Economy

B
Median Income$56,354
Per Capita$32,070
Unemployment7.7%
Poverty7.5%
County GDP$642M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,015

Housing

A+
Home Value$71,000
Rent$763
Ownership80.1%
Zillow$75,043
Housing Units646
Rent Burden19.5%

Health

Obesity37.9%
Diabetes10.6%
Smoking18.4%
Heart Disease6.1%
Premature Death9,324/100K

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
Rain32.0 in/yr
Elevation1,303 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.3%
High School+89.9%
Graduate+2.6%
School Score5.6/10

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute20 min
Broadband90.7%
Internet Speed41 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries9

Did You Know?

The median home in Laurens was built in 1952.
The nearest airport is Fort Dodge Regional (39 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.400 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
19.4% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 1 fatal vehicle crashes.