Marengo, IA

Iowa

Marengo is a small town in Iowa with a population of 2,823. Residents earn $58,125 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
2,823 Population 1,332/sq mi density
$58,125 Median Income $29,275 per capita
$114,100 Home Value $185,647 Zillow
$722 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
199 Violent Crime/100K 239 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$58,125 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$114,100 home value, $722/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
199 violent crimes/100K (48% below avg)
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,125
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $114,100
60% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 199/100K
48% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.6%
63% lower than US avg
Median Rent $722
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.9%
40% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.2%
50% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,823
Median Age38.4 yrs
Density1,332/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A
Median Income$58,125
Per Capita$29,275
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty6.2%
County GDP$1,274M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$114,100
Rent$722
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$185,647

Crime

F
Violent199/100K
Property239/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault199/100K
Burglary159/100K

Health

Obesity44.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.6%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.0 in/yr
Elevation736 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.6%
High School+90.8%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute21 min
Libraries5

Is Marengo a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Marengo receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Marengo offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Marengo is $58,125, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Marengo is $114,100, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $722 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Marengo is below the national average at 199 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 239 per 100,000, 88% below the national average.

Education

12.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Marengo experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.0 inches, including 27.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Marengo has a population of 2,823 with a density of 1,332 people per square mile. The median age is 38.4 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.4%), with 1.6% Black.

Population

2,823
Total Population
1,332
People / sq mi
38.4yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Marengo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.9%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.1%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Marengo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Marengo is $58,125, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Marengo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,125
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,275
Avg Weekly Wage$969
IRS Avg AGI$77,587

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.2%
50% below US avg
Establishments (County)708
County GDP$1,274M

Business (County)

Restaurants40
Healthcare40
Retail100
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,550
30% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.99%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.5 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Marengo is $114,100, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $722 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $185,647.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$114,100
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$185,647

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$722
38% 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-Occupied67.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,550
30% above US avg
Effective Rate3.99%
In Marengo, 44.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.6% report depression. 26.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.9%
40% above US avg
Diabetes9.9%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.7%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.2%
Physical Inactivity26.0%
Depression22.6%
Mental Distress19.0%
Physical Distress13.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.0%
Checkup Rate75.5%
Premature Death6,417/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access67.4%
Healthcare Facilities40
Marengo has a violent crime rate of 199 per 100,000 residents, 48% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 239 per 100,000 (88% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent199.1/100K
48% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault199.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property239.0/100K
88% below US avg
Burglary159.3/100K
Theft39.8/100K
Vehicle Theft39.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Marengo has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.0 inches
5% below US avg
Snowfall27.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation736 ft (224 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density1,332/sq mi
Coordinates41.7962°N, 92.0681°W
County FIPS19095
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 12.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.1%
D 35.4%

Winner: Republican by 27.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.6%
63% below US avg
High School+90.8%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,332/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities40
Restaurants40
Retail Stores100

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.5 min
Work from Home3.1%

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