Manchester, IA

Iowa

Manchester is a small city in Iowa with a population of 5,144. Residents earn $58,578 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
5,144 Population 1,043/sq mi density
$58,578 Median Income $37,998 per capita
$130,500 Home Value $218,987 Zillow
$743 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
255 Violent Crime/100K 1,806 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$58,578 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$130,500 home value, $743/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
255 violent crimes/100K (33% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,578
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $130,500
54% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 255/100K
33% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.2%
34% lower than US avg
Median Rent $743
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.3%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.6%
23% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,144
Median Age49.4 yrs
Density1,043/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A
Median Income$58,578
Per Capita$37,998
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty9.6%
County GDP$1,257M
Commute13 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$130,500
Rent$743
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$218,987

Crime

F
Violent255/100K
Property1,806/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault255/100K
Burglary314/100K

Health

Obesity42.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.6 in/yr
Elevation940 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.2%
High School+88.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute13 min
EV Stations2
Libraries5

Is Manchester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Manchester receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Manchester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Manchester is $58,578, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. 9.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Manchester is $130,500, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $743 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Manchester is below the national average at 255 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,806 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Manchester experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.6 inches, including 34.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Manchester has a population of 5,144 with a density of 1,043 people per square mile. The median age is 49.4 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.6%), with 3% Hispanic.

Population

5,144
Total Population
1,043
People / sq mi
49.4yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Manchester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Manchester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Manchester is $58,578, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes.

Income: Manchester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,578
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,998
Avg Weekly Wage$1,025
IRS Avg AGI$71,955

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.6%
23% below US avg
Establishments (County)606
County GDP$1,257M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare37
Retail67
Manufacturing44

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,125
18% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.16%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.7 min
Work from Home8.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Manchester is $130,500, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $743 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $218,987.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$130,500
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$218,987

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$743
36% 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-Occupied74.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,125
18% above US avg
Effective Rate3.16%
In Manchester, 42.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.2% report depression. 29.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.3%
32% above US avg
Diabetes10.9%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.8%
Asthma10.6%
COPD8.0%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.1%
Physical Inactivity29.5%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress19.3%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.1%
Checkup Rate74.7%
Premature Death6,094/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access64.0%
Healthcare Facilities37
Manchester has a violent crime rate of 255 per 100,000 residents, 33% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,806 per 100,000 (8% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent255.2/100K
33% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault255.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,805.7/100K
8% below US avg
Burglary314.0/100K
Theft1,413.2/100K
Vehicle Theft78.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Manchester has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.3°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.6 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall34.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation940 ft (287 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.8 km²)
Population Density1,043/sq mi
Coordinates42.4853°N, 91.4561°W
County FIPS19055
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.1%
D 29.5%

Winner: Republican by 39.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.2%
34% below US avg
High School+88.6%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,043/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities37
Restaurants36
Retail Stores67

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.7 min
Work from Home8.9%

Nearby Cities

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