Melbourne, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Melbourne is a small town in Iowa with a population of 714. Residents earn $82,857 per year, which is 10% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
714 Population 1,347/sq mi density
$82,857 Median Income $39,979 per capita
$147,400 Home Value $238,051 Zillow
$722 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$82,857 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$147,400 home value, $722/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $82,857
10% higher than US avg
Home Value $147,400
48% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.4%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $722
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.0%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.7%
78% lower than US avg

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

People

Population714
Median Age39.3 yrs
Density1,347/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

A
Median Income$82,857
Per Capita$39,979
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty2.7%
County GDP$1,523M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$147,400
Rent$722
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$238,051

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.1 in/yr
Elevation1,040 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.4%
High School+96.8%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute27 min
Libraries8

Is Melbourne a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Melbourne receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Melbourne stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Melbourne is $82,857, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Melbourne is $147,400, 48% 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 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Melbourne experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.1 inches, including 28.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Melbourne has a population of 714 with a density of 1,347 people per square mile. The median age is 39.3 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.2%).

Population

714
Total Population
1,347
People / sq mi
39.3yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.7%
Female 49.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Melbourne vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Melbourne vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Melbourne is $82,857, which is 10% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Melbourne vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$82,857
10% above US avg
Per Capita Income$39,979
Avg Weekly Wage$960
IRS Avg AGI$72,700

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.7%
78% below US avg
Establishments (County)984
County GDP$1,523M

Business (County)

Restaurants63
Healthcare66
Retail96
Manufacturing37

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,099
17% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.4 min
Work from Home8.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Melbourne is $147,400, 48% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $722 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $238,051.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$147,400
48% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$238,051

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$94
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio94.5%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

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-Occupied74.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,099
17% above US avg
Effective Rate2.78%
In Melbourne, 41.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.4% report depression. 20.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.0%
28% above US avg
Diabetes8.2%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure27.9%
Asthma9.6%
COPD4.9%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.8%
Physical Inactivity20.0%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress10.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.6%
Checkup Rate77.0%
Premature Death7,112/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access76.5%
Healthcare Facilities66

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Melbourne has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.1 inches
8% below US avg
Snowfall28.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,040 ft (317 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density1,347/sq mi
Coordinates41.9416°N, 93.1023°W
County FIPS19099
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63%
D 35.4%

Winner: Republican by 27.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.4%
42% below US avg
High School+96.8%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,347/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities66
Restaurants63
Retail Stores96

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.4 min
Work from Home8.7%

Nearby Cities

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