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Melrose, IA

Iowa

Melrose is a small town in Iowa with a population of 139. Residents earn $56,250 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

2.0 /5.0
C Fair
139 Population 136/sq mi density
$56,250 Median Income $19,979 per capita
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
C
Overall
2.0 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$56,250 median income, 14.2% unemployment
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
4.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,250
25% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 4.1%
88% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.6%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 14.2%
294% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.8%
3% higher than US avg

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

People

Population139
Median Age51.8 yrs
Density136/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans9.2%

Economy

C+
Median Income$56,250
Per Capita$19,979
Unemployment14.2%
Poverty12.8%
County GDP$316M
Commute34 min

Housing

Home ValueN/A
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$168,678
Housing Units64
Rent Burden24.6%

Health

Obesity38.6%
Uninsured7.8%
Smoking17.3%
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.4 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation970 ft (296 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+4.1%
High School+93.8%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 21%
Commute34 min
Broadband54.0%
Libraries4

Is Melrose a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Melrose receives an overall livability score of 2.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Melrose has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Melrose is $56,250, 25% below the national average of $75,149. At 14.2%, unemployment is notably high. 12.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Education

4.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Melrose experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 40.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Melrose has a population of 139 with a density of 136 people per square mile. The median age is 51.8 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.2%), with 9.4% Hispanic.

Population

139
Total Population
136
People / sq mi
51.8yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Melrose vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Melrose vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Melrose is $56,250, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 14.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Melrose vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,250
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,979
Avg Weekly Wage$968
IRS Avg AGI$57,510

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment14.2%
294% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.8%
3% above US avg
Establishments (County)185
County GDP$316M

Business (County)

Restaurants8
Healthcare11
Retail22
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,250
7% below US avg

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.7 min
Drive Alone77.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

Zillow estimates the typical home value at $168,678.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Zillow ZHVI$168,678

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden24.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied98.1%
Housing Units64
Median Year Built1950

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,250
7% below US avg
In Melrose, 38.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.8% of residents lack health insurance. 17.3% are current smokers. 22.2% report depression. 25.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.6%
20% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure31.5%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.7%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.3%
24% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.6%
Physical Inactivity25.0%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress12.8%
Short Sleep37.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.7%
Uninsured7.8%
9% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.7%
Dental Visits63.8%
Premature Death8,502/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access35.8%
Healthcare Facilities11
Melrose 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 40.4 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.4 inches
6% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation970 ft (296 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density136/sq mi
Coordinates40.9791°N, 93.0508°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19185
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 4.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (88% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 57.2-point margin. 54.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.8%
D 20.6%

Winner: Republican by 57.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+4.1%
88% below US avg
High School+93.8%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density136/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access54.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants8
Retail Stores22

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.7 min
Drive Alone77.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Albia, IA 3,688 pop · 13.3 mi Chariton, IA 4,235 pop · 13.8 mi Centerville, IA 5,377 pop · 19.6 mi Melcher-Dallas, IA 1,228 pop · 19.8 mi Corydon, IA 1,566 pop · 20.7 mi Knoxville, IA 7,493 pop · 23.6 mi Eddyville, IA 1,085 pop · 25.2 mi Pella, IA 10,624 pop · 30.2 mi Oskaloosa, IA 11,492 pop · 30.4 mi Pleasantville, IA 1,883 pop · 30.5 mi Ottumwa, IA 25,352 pop · 32.9 mi Unionville, MO 1,725 pop · 34.8 mi Bloomfield, IA 2,723 pop · 36.7 mi Monroe, IA 2,074 pop · 37.4 mi
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