Median Income
$56,250
25% lower than US avg
Violent Crime
26/100K
93% 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
Ownership98.1%
Zillow$168,678
Housing Units64
Rent Burden24.6%
Crime
F
Violent26/100K
Property1,000/100K
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 Score5.65
Community
2024 VoteR 78% / D 21%
Commute34 min
Broadband54.0%
EV Stations1
Libraries4
Is Melrose a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Melrose receives an overall livability score of 1.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Key strengths include low crime rates, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Melrose faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.
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.
Safety & Crime
Melrose is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 26 per 100,000 residents / well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,000 per 100,000, 49% below the national average.
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, spread across 1.0 square miles. The median age is 51.8 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 51.1% female and 48.9% male. The city is predominantly White (89.2%), with 9.4% Hispanic. English is the primary language spoken at home by 100% of residents. 9.2% of the population are veterans, above the national rate of 6.0%. 13.2% of residents have a disability. 94.7% have health insurance coverage.
Population
51.8yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
Language Spoken at Home
English Only
100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish
0.0%
100% below US avg
The median household income in Melrose is $56,250, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $19,979 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $968, 32% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 14.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area has 185 business establishments, including 8 restaurants. The cost of living index is 87.8, below the national baseline of 100 / offering relatively affordable living. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes (longer than the 28-minute US average). 0.0% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).
Income
| Median HH Income | $56,250 |
| 25% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $19,979 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $968 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $57,510 |
| Gini Index | 0.460 (0=equal, 1=unequal) |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 14.2% |
| 294% above US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% |
| 3% above US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 185 |
| County GDP | $316M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 8 |
| Healthcare | 11 |
| Retail | 22 |
| Manufacturing | 5 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,250 |
| 7% below US avg |
| Cost of Living | 87.80 (100=avg) |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 33.7 min |
| Drive Alone | 77.8% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 0.0% |
Zillow estimates the typical home value at $168,678. Fair market rent ranges from $788 for a one-bedroom to $989 for a two-bedroom apartment. 98.1% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 64 total housing units in the city. The median year a home was built is 1950. The average annual property tax is $3,250. 24.6% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing.
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $738 |
| 1 Bedroom | $788 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $989 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,282 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 98.1% |
| Owner-Occupied | 98.1% |
| Renter-Occupied | 1.9% |
| Housing Units | 64 |
| Median Year Built | 1950 |
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,250 |
| 7% below US avg |
In Melrose, 38.6% of adults are obese, above the national rate of 32.1%. 9.6% have diabetes. Heart disease affects 5.8% of residents. 31.5% have high blood pressure. 17.3% are current smokers (above the 14.0% national rate). 22.6% report binge drinking. 25.0% are physically inactive. 22.2% report depression. 18.5% experience frequent mental distress. 7.8% of residents lack health insurance. The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,302. The dentist ratio is 1:2,156. 35.8% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The food environment index is 7.2 out of 10.
Health Metrics: Melrose vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 38.6% |
| 20% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 9.6% |
| Heart Disease | 5.8% |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.5% |
| Asthma | 10.3% |
| COPD | 6.7% |
| Cancer | 7.4% |
| Stroke | 3.0% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| Smoking | 17.3% |
| 24% above US avg |
| Binge Drinking | 22.6% |
| Physical Inactivity | 25.0% |
| Depression | 22.2% |
| Mental Distress | 18.5% |
| Physical Distress | 12.8% |
| Short Sleep | 37.1% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 94.7% |
| Uninsured | 7.8% |
| 9% below US avg |
| Primary Care | 1:1,302 |
| Dentists | 1:2,156 |
| Mental Health | 1:3,279 |
| Checkup Rate | 74.7% |
| Dental Visits | 63.8% |
| Premature Death | 8,502/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.2/10 |
| Exercise Access | 35.8% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 11 |
Melrose has a violent crime rate of 26 per 100,000 residents, 93% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,000 per 100,000, 49% below the U.S. average. The county recorded 1 fatal traffic crashes. Overall, Melrose receives a safety grade of F.
Crime Rates: Melrose vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
| Total Violent | 26.3/100K |
| 93% below US avg |
| |
Property Crime
| Total Property | 1,000.0/100K |
| 49% below US avg |
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 1 |
| Avg Accident Severity | 0.0 / 4.0 |
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
Melrose experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 40.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 970 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-5°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 49.9°F |
| 8% below US avg |
| January Average | 22°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 970 ft (296 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 136/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.9791°N, 93.0508°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Wayne County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ottumwa Regional (OTM)
33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall
40.4"
6% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)
4.61"
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 22.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 73.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 46.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado |
Relatively Low |
| Hurricane |
Very Low |
| Earthquake |
Very Low |
| Wildfire |
Very Low |
| Flood |
Very Low |
| Hail |
Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind |
Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave |
Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather |
Very Low |
| Lightning |
Very Low |
| Ice Storm |
Relatively Low |
| Drought |
Relatively High |
| Cold Wave |
Relatively Low |
| Landslide |
Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
496 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 189 injuries.
| Date |
Rating |
Distance |
Fatalities |
| Mar 31, 2023 |
EF4 |
93 km |
0 |
| Sep 28, 1986 |
EF4 |
97 km |
0 |
| Jun 2, 1980 |
EF4 |
83 km |
0 |
| Jun 18, 1974 |
EF4 |
96 km |
2 |
| Apr 21, 1973 |
EF4 |
84 km |
0 |
| Jan 24, 1967 |
EF4 |
78 km |
0 |
| May 20, 1959 |
EF4 |
32 km |
0 |
| May 10, 1953 |
EF4 |
26 km |
0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 |
EF3 |
61 km |
0 |
| Mar 5, 2022 |
EF3 |
28 km |
1 |
| Aug 20, 2019 |
EF3 |
50 km |
0 |
| May 27, 2019 |
EF3 |
95 km |
0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 |
EF3 |
54 km |
0 |
| Jun 22, 2015 |
EF3 |
22 km |
0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 |
EF3 |
41 km |
0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 |
EF3 |
59 km |
0 |
| May 27, 1995 |
EF3 |
92 km |
0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 |
EF3 |
94 km |
0 |
| Apr 16, 1967 |
EF3 |
86 km |
2 |
| Jan 24, 1967 |
EF3 |
83 km |
0 |
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km.
Largest: NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 (1,050 ac, 2016).
| Year |
Name |
Acres |
Distance |
| 2016 |
NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 |
1,050 |
70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)
Monthly Weather
| Month |
Avg Temperature |
Precipitation |
Summary |
| January |
22°F (-5°C) |
1.3 in |
Coldest, Driest |
| February |
27°F (-3°C) |
1.3 in |
|
| March |
39°F (4°C) |
2.7 in |
|
| April |
51°F (10°C) |
3.4 in |
|
| May |
61°F (16°C) |
4.2 in |
|
| June |
71°F (21°C) |
4.4 in |
|
| July |
75°F (24°C) |
4.6 in |
Warmest, Wettest |
| August |
73°F (23°C) |
3.9 in |
|
| September |
65°F (18°C) |
4.3 in |
|
| October |
53°F (12°C) |
3.0 in |
|
| November |
39°F (4°C) |
2.4 in |
|
| December |
27°F (-3°C) |
1.7 in |
|
Melrose has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 22°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (1.3").
Average costs for common services in Melrose. Prices are estimated based on regional cost of living data and may vary by provider.
Healthcare
| Doctor Visit (Primary Care) |
$220 ($132–$351) |
| Specialist Visit |
$307 ($176–$483) |
| Urgent Care Visit |
$176 ($88–$307) |
| Emergency Room Visit |
$1,932 ($702–$4,390) |
| Dental Cleaning |
$114 ($66–$176) |
| Dental Filling |
$220 ($132–$351) |
View all 40 services
Auto Repair
| Oil Change (Conventional) |
$40 ($22–$66) |
| Oil Change (Synthetic) |
$66 ($44–$105) |
| Brake Pad Replacement |
$263 ($132–$439) |
| Tire Rotation |
$35 ($18–$66) |
| New Tires (Set of 4) |
$527 ($351–$878) |
| Battery Replacement |
$176 ($88–$307) |
View all 18 services
Home Services
| Plumber (Per Hour) |
$88 ($53–$132) |
| Electrician (Per Hour) |
$79 ($44–$123) |
| HVAC Repair |
$351 ($132–$702) |
| HVAC System Install |
$6,146 ($3,512–$10,536) |
| Roof Repair |
$878 ($351–$1,756) |
| Roof Replacement |
$7,902 ($4,829–$13,170) |
View all 25 services
Legal
| Divorce (Uncontested) |
$1,317 ($439–$3,073) |
| Divorce (Contested) |
$13,170 ($4,390–$26,340) |
| DUI Defense |
$4,390 ($1,756–$8,780) |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) |
$1,317 ($702–$2,634) |
| Will Preparation |
$439 ($176–$878) |
| Trust Preparation |
$2,195 ($878–$4,390) |
View all 12 services
Personal Care
| Men's Haircut |
$22 ($13–$40) |
| Women's Haircut |
$48 ($26–$88) |
| Hair Coloring (Full) |
$132 ($66–$220) |
| Manicure |
$22 ($13–$40) |
| Pedicure |
$35 ($22–$57) |
| Massage (1 Hour) |
$70 ($44–$114) |
View all 12 services
Food & Grocery
| Gallon of Milk (per gallon) |
$3.60 ($2.63–$4.83) |
| Dozen Eggs (per dozen) |
$3.07 ($2.20–$4.39) |
| Loaf of Bread |
$3.34 ($2.20–$4.83) |
| Chicken Breast (per lb) |
$3.95 ($2.63–$5.71) |
| Ground Beef (per lb) |
$4.83 ($3.51–$6.59) |
| Rice (per lb) |
$0.88 ($0.53–$1.58) |
View all 20 services
Utilities
| Electricity (Monthly) |
$123 ($70–$220) |
| Natural Gas (Monthly) |
$61 ($26–$132) |
| Water/Sewer (Monthly) |
$61 ($35–$105) |
| Internet (Monthly) |
$61 ($35–$88) |
| Cell Phone Plan (Monthly) |
$57 ($26–$88) |
| Cable TV (Monthly) |
$75 ($44–$132) |
View all 8 services
Transportation
| Monthly Parking (Downtown) |
$176 ($66–$439) |
| Car Insurance (Annual) |
$1,756 ($1,054–$3,073) |
| Bus Pass (Monthly) |
$61 ($26–$114) |
| Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride) |
$13 ($7.02–$22) |
| Car Registration (Annual) |
$88 ($26–$220) |
| Driver's License Renewal |
$26 ($13–$66) |
View all 8 services
Education & Childcare
| Daycare (Infant, Monthly) |
$1,054 ($527–$2,195) |
| Daycare (Toddler, Monthly) |
$878 ($439–$1,756) |
| After-School Care (Monthly) |
$351 ($176–$615) |
| Tutoring (Per Hour) |
$44 ($22–$88) |
| SAT/ACT Prep Course |
$878 ($351–$2,195) |
| Private School (K-12, Annual) |
$10,975 ($4,390–$26,340) |
View all 8 services
Pets
| Vet Visit (Routine Checkup) |
$53 ($26–$88) |
| Dog Vaccination (Annual) |
$88 ($44–$176) |
| Dog Grooming |
$53 ($26–$88) |
| Pet Boarding (Per Night) |
$35 ($18–$66) |
| Dog Spay/Neuter |
$263 ($132–$439) |
| Cat Spay/Neuter |
$176 ($88–$351) |
View all 9 services
Childcare
| Center-Based (monthly) |
| Infant | $661 |
| Toddler | $570 |
| Preschool | $570 |
| Family Childcare (monthly) |
| Infant | $434 |
| Toddler | $427 |
| Preschool | $427 |
Source: DOL Women's Bureau (2022)
Frequently Asked Questions About Melrose
What is the population of Melrose?
Melrose has a population of 139 residents and is located in Iowa. The population density is 136 people per square mile, spread across 1.0 square miles. The median age of residents is 51.8 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 51.1% female and 48.9% male.
Is Melrose expensive to live in?
Melrose is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 87.8 / below the baseline of 100. The median household income is $56,250, 25% below the national average of $75,149.
Is Melrose safe?
Melrose is considered a very safe city with a violent crime rate of 26 per 100,000 residents, well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,000 per 100,000 (below the national average). Overall, Melrose receives a safety grade of F based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Melrose?
Melrose has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 22°F in January, while summers reach an average of 75°F in July. The area receives 275 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 40.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 43.
How is the job market in Melrose?
The job market in Melrose faces challenges, with unemployment at 14.2% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $968. There are 185 business establishments in the area, including 8 restaurants and food service locations. The average commute time is 34 minutes, and 0.0% of workers work from home.
How are the schools in Melrose?
Schools in Melrose score 5.7 out of 10 on standardized testing, near the national average. 4.1% of adults in Melrose hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.8% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
How healthy is Melrose?
The obesity rate in Melrose is 38.6% (above the national rate of 32.1%). 17.3% of adults are smokers. 25.0% are physically inactive. 22.2% of residents report depression. 7.8% lack health insurance. 35.8% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,302.
What is transportation like in Melrose?
The average commute in Melrose is 34 minutes, longer than the national average of 28 minutes. 77.8% of workers drive alone to work, and 0.0% work from home.
What are the demographics of Melrose?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Melrose is 89.2% White, 9.4% Hispanic or Latino. 100% of residents speak only English at home. 9.2% of the population are military veterans. 13.2% of residents have a disability. 94.7% have health insurance coverage.
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