Lost Nation, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Clinton County County

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
393 Population 517/sq mi density
$51,000 Median Income $26,517 per capita
$74,500 Home Value $167,238 Zillow
$658 Median Rent 26.1% income on 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, 2.3% 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

Lost Nation, IA

At a Glance

Median Income
$51,000
32% below
$26,517 per capita
Home Value
$74,500
74% below
Zillow: $167,238
Median Rent
$658/mo
43% below
26.1% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
18.1%
46% below
93.6% high school+
Unemployment
2.3%
36% below
6.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
38.2%
19% above
16.9% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
49°F

How Lost Nation Compares to the U.S. Average

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

Income
68%
Home Value
26%
Rent
57%
Poverty
55%
Bachelor's
54%
Unemployment
64%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Lost Nation a Good Place to Live?

B+
3.8 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Lost Nation residents earn a median household income of $51,000 , which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $26,517. The unemployment rate stands at 2.3% (36% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,498 business establishments, including 117 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Lost Nation is $74,500 , 74% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $167,238. Median rent is $658/month, with 26.1% 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 1938.

Education

18.1% of adults in Lost Nation hold a bachelor's degree or higher (46% below the national average). 93.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.8/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

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 totals 39.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 46.

Data Overview

People

Population393
Median Age44.3 yrs
Density517/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Foreign Born1.5%
Veterans10.8%

Economy

B+
Median Income$51,000
Per Capita$26,517
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty6.8%
County GDP$2,951M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,014

Housing

A+
Home Value$74,500
Rent$658
Ownership66.5%
Zillow$167,238
Housing Units215
Rent Burden26.1%

Health

Obesity38.2%
Diabetes9.4%
Smoking16.9%
Heart Disease5.5%
Premature Death8,790/100K

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
Rain39.6 in/yr
AQI46 (Good)
Elevation753 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.1%
High School+93.6%
Graduate+1.4%
School Score5.8/10

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute45 min
Broadband70.9%
Internet Speed96 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries7

Did You Know?

Lost Nation was founded in 1872.
The median home in Lost Nation was built in 1938.
The nearest airport is Monticello Regional (25 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.432 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
20.1% of the population has a disability.
There are 117 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 5 fatal vehicle crashes.