Lost Nation, IA

Iowa

Lost Nation is a small town in Iowa with a population of 393. Residents earn $51,000 per year, which is 32% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
393 Population 517/sq mi density
$51,000 Median Income $26,517 per capita
$74,500 Home Value $148,718 Zillow
$658 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$51,000 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$74,500 home value, $658/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
18.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $51,000
32% lower than US avg
Home Value $74,500
74% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.1%
46% lower than US avg
Median Rent $658
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.2%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.8%
45% lower than US avg

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

People

Population393
Median Age44.3 yrs
Density517/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

B+
Median Income$51,000
Per Capita$26,517
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty6.8%
County GDP$2,951M
Commute45 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$74,500
Rent$658
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$148,718

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.6 in/yr
Elevation753 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.1%
High School+93.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute45 min
Libraries7

Is Lost Nation a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lost Nation receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times. Lost Nation offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lost Nation is $51,000, 32% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. Only 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 45 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lost Nation is $74,500, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $658 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

18.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lost Nation experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.6 inches, including 39.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Lost Nation has a population of 393 with a density of 517 people per square mile. The median age is 44.3 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.7%).

Population

393
Total Population
517
People / sq mi
44.3yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.1%
Female 52.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Lost Nation vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lost Nation vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lost Nation is $51,000, which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 45 minutes.

Income: Lost Nation vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$51,000
32% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,517
Avg Weekly Wage$1,014
IRS Avg AGI$65,940

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.8%
45% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,498
County GDP$2,951M

Business (County)

Restaurants117
Healthcare128
Retail162
Manufacturing60

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,438
27% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.96%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time45.0 min
Work from Home5.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Lost Nation is $74,500, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $658 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $148,718.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$74,500
74% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$148,718

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$658
43% 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-Occupied66.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,438
27% above US avg
Effective Rate5.96%
In Lost Nation, 38.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.8% report depression. 24.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lost Nation vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.2%
19% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.5%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.9%
Physical Inactivity24.4%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.3%
Checkup Rate74.3%
Premature Death8,790/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access76.9%
Healthcare Facilities128

Crime Rates: Lost Nation vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Lost Nation has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.0°F
9% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.6 inches
4% above US avg
Snowfall39.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation753 ft (230 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density517/sq mi
Coordinates41.9675°N, 90.8181°W
County FIPS19045
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 18.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (46% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 18.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.6%
D 39.8%

Winner: Republican by 18.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.1%
46% below US avg
High School+93.6%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density517/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities128
Restaurants117
Retail Stores162

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute45.0 min
Work from Home5.8%

Nearby Cities

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