Martensdale, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Martensdale is a small town in Iowa with a population of 588. Residents earn $53,750 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
588 Population 1,547/sq mi density
$53,750 Median Income $28,925 per capita
$176,400 Home Value $212,840 Zillow
$863 Median Rent 22.9% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$53,750 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$176,400 home value, $863/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,750
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $176,400
37% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.8%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $863
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.9%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.7%
2% higher than US avg

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

People

Population588
Median Age29.0 yrs
Density1,547/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans5.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$53,750
Per Capita$28,925
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty12.7%
County GDP$1,885M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$176,400
Rent$863
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$212,840
Rent Burden22.9%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.5%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.8 in/yr
Elevation857 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.8%
High School+93.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute28 min
Broadband95.0%
Libraries6

Is Martensdale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Martensdale receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Martensdale offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Martensdale is $53,750, 28% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Martensdale is $176,400, 37% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $863 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Martensdale experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.8 inches, including 30.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Martensdale has a population of 588 with a density of 1,547 people per square mile. The median age is 29.0 years, 25% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.5%).

Population

588
Total Population
1,547
People / sq mi
29.0yrs
Median Age
25% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Martensdale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.8%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.2%
99% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Martensdale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Martensdale is $53,750, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Martensdale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,750
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,925
Avg Weekly Wage$985
IRS Avg AGI$93,680

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.7%
2% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,410
County GDP$1,885M

Business (County)

Restaurants83
Healthcare91
Retail108
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,817
66% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.30%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.4 min
Drive Alone75.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home14.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Martensdale is $176,400, 37% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $863 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $212,840.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$176,400
37% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$212,840

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$863
26% below US avg
Rent Burden22.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied75.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,817
66% above US avg
Effective Rate3.30%
In Martensdale, 38.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.5% report depression. 21.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.9%
21% above US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma9.9%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.9%
Physical Inactivity21.5%
Depression21.5%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress11.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.2%
Checkup Rate74.7%
Premature Death6,398/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access76.2%
Healthcare Facilities91

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Martensdale has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.8 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall30.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation857 ft (261 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density1,547/sq mi
Coordinates41.3738°N, 93.7388°W
County FIPS19181
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 20.7-point margin. 95.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.7%
D 38.9%

Winner: Republican by 20.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.8%
50% below US avg
High School+93.9%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,547/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access95.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities91
Restaurants83
Retail Stores108

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.4 min
Drive Alone75.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home14.2%

Nearby Cities

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