Median Income $91,875

22% higher than US avg

Home Value $185,200

34% lower than US avg

Bachelor's+ 20.2%

40% lower than US avg

Obesity Rate 38.2%

19% higher than US avg

Unemployment 0.0%

100% lower than US avg

Poverty Rate 2.4%

81% lower than US avg

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

People

Population308

Median Age38.9 yrs

Density168/mi²

Male / Female49% / 51%

Largest GroupWhite 87%

Veterans8.3%

Economy

A+

Median Income$91,875

Per Capita$40,950

Unemployment0.0%

Poverty2.4%

County GDP$1,425M

Commute19 min

Housing

A+

Home Value$185,200

RentN/A

OwnershipN/A

Housing Units136

Health

Obesity38.2%

Uninsured7.9%

Smoking14.6%

Depression20.2%

Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)

AQI43 (Good)

Rain29.3 in/yr

Sunny Days291/yr

Elevation1,409 ft (429 m)

Education

C+

Bachelor's+20.2%

High School+95.0%

Graduate+3.7%

School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 84% / D 15%

Commute19 min

Broadband91.4%

Libraries6

Is Lester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lester receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Lester stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lester is $91,875, 22% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 2.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lester is $185,200, 34% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

20.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lester experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 291 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 29.3 inches, including 34.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Lester has a population of 308 with a density of 168 people per square mile. The median age is 38.9 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

308

Total Population

168

People / sq mi

38.9yrs

Median Age

0% below US avg

1.8mi²

Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%

Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Lester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only	91.0%
	16% above US avg
Spanish	9.0%
	33% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lester is $91,875, which is 22% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Lester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income	$91,875
	22% above US avg
Per Capita Income	$40,950
Avg Weekly Wage	$956
IRS Avg AGI	$84,809

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment	0.0%
	100% below US avg
Poverty Rate	2.4%
	81% below US avg
Establishments (County)	553
County GDP	$1,425M

Business (County)

Restaurants	24
Healthcare	26
Retail	48
Manufacturing	27

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)	$4,342
	24% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate	2.34%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time	18.5 min
Drive Alone	70.5%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	3.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Lester is $185,200, 34% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median	$185,200
	34% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied	97.1%
Housing Units	136
Median Year Built	1975

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)	$4,342
	24% above US avg
Effective Rate	2.34%

In Lester, 38.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.9% of residents lack health insurance. 14.6% are current smokers. 20.2% report depression. 23.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity	38.2%
	19% above US avg
Diabetes	9.1%
Heart Disease	5.3%
High Blood Pressure	30.0%
Asthma	9.7%
COPD	5.5%
Cancer	7.4%
Stroke	2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking	14.6%
	4% above US avg
Binge Drinking	24.1%
Physical Inactivity	23.3%
Depression	20.2%
Mental Distress	17.1%
Physical Distress	11.5%
Short Sleep	31.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate	92.3%
Uninsured	7.9%
	8% below US avg
Checkup Rate	74.8%
Dental Visits	70.0%
Premature Death	4,025/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment	9.5/10
Exercise Access	53.1%
Healthcare Facilities	26

Lester has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.3 inches. The area enjoys 291 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	46.0°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	16°F (-9°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall	29.3 inches
	23% below US avg
Snowfall	34.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Geography

Elevation	1,409 ft (429 m)
Area	1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²)
Population Density	168/sq mi
Coordinates	43.4403°N, 96.3314°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County FIPS	19119

It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 20.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 69.8-point margin. 91.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 84.5%

D 14.7%

Winner: Republican by 69.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+	20.2%
	40% below US avg
High School+	95.0%
Graduate Degree+	3.7%
School Test Score	5.73

C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8	Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density	168/sq mi
Total Area	1.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access	91.4%
Public Libraries	6
Healthcare Facilities	26
Restaurants	24
Retail Stores	48

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)	1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute	18.5 min
Drive Alone	70.5%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	3.4%

Lester, IA

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

People

Economy

Housing

Health

Climate

Education

Community

Is Lester a Good Place to Live?

Economy & Jobs

Cost of Living & Housing

Education

Climate & Weather

Population

Gender Distribution

Race & Ethnicity

Lester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Social Characteristics

Lester vs U.S. Average

Income: Lester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Employment & Poverty

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Ownership & Property

Property Tax

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Food & Exercise

Temperature

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

Geography

2024 Presidential Election (County)

Education

Urban-Rural Classification

Infrastructure & Services

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Nearby Cities