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Lehigh, IA

Iowa

Lehigh is a small town in Iowa with a population of 354. Residents earn $58,824 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
354 Population 168/sq mi density
$58,824 Median Income $36,608 per capita
$83,300 Home Value $133,653 Zillow
$633 Median Rent 22.5% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$58,824 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$83,300 home value, $633/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,824
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $83,300
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.2%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent $633
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.6%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.1%
6% higher than US avg

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

People

Population354
Median Age40.6 yrs
Density168/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans8.8%

Economy

B+
Median Income$58,824
Per Capita$36,608
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty13.1%
County GDP$2,759M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$83,300
Rent$633
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$133,653
Housing Units195
Rent Burden22.5%

Health

Obesity40.6%
Uninsured7.1%
Smoking16.9%
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.3 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,060 ft (323 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.2%
High School+85.5%
Graduate+7.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute26 min
Broadband91.1%
Libraries9

Is Lehigh a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lehigh receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Lehigh offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lehigh is $58,824, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 13.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lehigh is $83,300, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $633 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lehigh experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 35.3 inches, including 31.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Lehigh has a population of 354 with a density of 168 people per square mile. The median age is 40.6 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98%).

Population

354
Total Population
168
People / sq mi
40.6yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.1%
Female 46.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Lehigh vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.3%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.7%
95% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lehigh vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lehigh is $58,824, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Lehigh vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,824
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,608
Avg Weekly Wage$1,091
IRS Avg AGI$64,898

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.1%
6% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,198
County GDP$2,759M

Business (County)

Restaurants82
Healthcare126
Retail140
Manufacturing40

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,372
53% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.45%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.8 min
Drive Alone92.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Lehigh is $83,300, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $633 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $133,653.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$83,300
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$133,653

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$633
46% below US avg
Rent Burden22.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.6%
Housing Units195
Median Year Built1953

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,372
53% above US avg
Effective Rate6.45%
In Lehigh, 40.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.1% of residents lack health insurance. 16.9% are current smokers. 21.6% report depression. 24.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.6%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure32.1%
Asthma10.0%
COPD6.3%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.9%
21% above US avg
Binge Drinking24.4%
Physical Inactivity24.7%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.0%
Short Sleep36.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.2%
Uninsured7.1%
17% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.0%
Dental Visits67.9%
Premature Death10,249/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access83.6%
Healthcare Facilities126
Lehigh has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.3 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.8°F
11% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.3 inches
7% below US avg
Snowfall31.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,060 ft (323 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density168/sq mi
Coordinates42.3582°N, 94.0534°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19187
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.2-point margin. 91.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65%
D 33.8%

Winner: Republican by 31.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.2%
67% below US avg
High School+85.5%
Graduate Degree+7.0%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density168/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access91.1%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities126
Restaurants82
Retail Stores140

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.8 min
Drive Alone92.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.6%

Nearby Cities

Fort Dodge, IA 24,788 pop · 12.2 mi Webster City, IA 7,769 pop · 14.0 mi Jewell Junction, IA 1,225 pop · 21.4 mi Ogden, IA 1,902 pop · 22.1 mi Eagle Grove, IA 3,588 pop · 22.6 mi Boone, IA 12,445 pop · 23.3 mi Story City, IA 3,363 pop · 26.7 mi Humboldt, IA 4,761 pop · 26.7 mi Gilbert, IA 1,300 pop · 27.2 mi Manson, IA 1,653 pop · 27.5 mi Jefferson, IA 4,164 pop · 28.8 mi Rockwell City, IA 2,449 pop · 29.5 mi Clarion, IA 2,775 pop · 30.6 mi Roland, IA 1,458 pop · 31.1 mi
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