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Leighton, IA

Iowa

Leighton is a small town in Iowa with a population of 159. Residents earn $75,000 per year, which is 0% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
159 Population 1,767/sq mi density
$75,000 Median Income $30,676 per capita
$117,000 Home Value $280,137 Zillow
$770 Median Rent 15.0% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$75,000 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$117,000 home value, $770/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $75,000
0% lower than US avg
Home Value $117,000
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.9%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $770
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.2%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.6%
95% lower than US avg

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

People

Population159
Median Age45.3 yrs
Density1,767/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans4.7%

Economy

A+
Median Income$75,000
Per Capita$30,676
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.6%
County GDP$1,192M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$117,000
Rent$770
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$280,137
Housing Units74
Rent Burden15.0%

Health

Obesity36.2%
Uninsured6.6%
Smoking14.3%
Depression20.8%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.7 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation802 ft (244 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.9%
High School+95.3%
Graduate+1.5%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute20 min
Broadband62.0%
Libraries2

Is Leighton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Leighton receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Leighton stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Leighton is $75,000, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Leighton is $117,000, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $770 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

17.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Leighton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Leighton has a population of 159 with a density of 1,767 people per square mile. The median age is 45.3 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.2%).

Population

159
Total Population
1,767
People / sq mi
45.3yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
0.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.6%
Female 48.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Leighton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.6%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.4%
75% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Leighton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Leighton is $75,000, which is 0% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Leighton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$75,000
0% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,676
Avg Weekly Wage$1,067
IRS Avg AGI$73,144

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.6%
95% below US avg
Establishments (County)625
County GDP$1,192M

Business (County)

Restaurants44
Healthcare43
Retail75
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,289
23% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.4 min
Drive Alone73.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home14.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Leighton is $117,000, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $770 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $280,137.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$117,000
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$280,137

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$149
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.2%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$770
34% below US avg
Rent Burden15.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied75.8%
Housing Units74
Median Year Built1952

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,289
23% above US avg
Effective Rate3.67%
In Leighton, 36.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.6% of residents lack health insurance. 14.3% are current smokers. 20.8% report depression. 23.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.2%
13% above US avg
Diabetes8.1%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure28.9%
Asthma9.6%
COPD5.2%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.3%
2% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.5%
Physical Inactivity23.3%
Depression20.8%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress11.1%
Short Sleep33.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.4%
Uninsured6.6%
23% below US avg
Checkup Rate73.8%
Dental Visits70.8%
Premature Death7,887/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access70.6%
Healthcare Facilities43
Leighton has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.7 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.7 inches
2% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation802 ft (244 m)
Area0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Population Density1,767/sq mi
Coordinates41.3388°N, 92.7863°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19123
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 17.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.6-point margin. 62.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.2%
D 23.6%

Winner: Republican by 51.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.9%
47% below US avg
High School+95.3%
Graduate Degree+1.5%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,767/sq mi
Total Area0.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access62.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities43
Restaurants44
Retail Stores75

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.4 min
Drive Alone73.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home14.7%

Nearby Cities

Pella, IA 10,624 pop · 8.2 mi Oskaloosa, IA 11,492 pop · 8.2 mi New Sharon, IA 1,147 pop · 11.5 mi Eddyville, IA 1,085 pop · 14.8 mi Knoxville, IA 7,493 pop · 16.5 mi Sully, IA 1,092 pop · 16.8 mi Monroe, IA 2,074 pop · 20.6 mi Montezuma, IA 1,257 pop · 21.5 mi Albia, IA 3,688 pop · 21.6 mi Melcher-Dallas, IA 1,228 pop · 24.9 mi Pleasantville, IA 1,883 pop · 25.4 mi Grinnell, IA 9,527 pop · 27.6 mi Newton, IA 15,696 pop · 28.0 mi Ottumwa, IA 25,352 pop · 28.9 mi
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