Menlo, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Menlo is a small town in Iowa with a population of 355. Residents earn $78,333 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
355 Population 710/sq mi density
$78,333 Median Income $35,825 per capita
$107,100 Home Value $206,836 Zillow
$1,078 Median Rent 24.1% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$78,333 median income, 10.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$107,100 home value, $1,078/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,333
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $107,100
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.6%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,078
7% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.2%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.2%
183% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.9%
85% lower than US avg

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

People

Population355
Median Age46.1 yrs
Density710/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 90%
Veterans7.9%

Economy

B
Median Income$78,333
Per Capita$35,825
Unemployment10.2%
Poverty1.9%
County GDP$753M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$107,100
Rent$1,078
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$206,836
Housing Units173
Rent Burden24.1%

Health

Obesity37.2%
Uninsured6.8%
Smoking15.7%
Depression22.1%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.1 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,262 ft (385 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.6%
High School+92.2%
Graduate+1.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute23 min
Broadband81.5%
Libraries8

Is Menlo a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Menlo receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Menlo offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Menlo is $78,333, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 10.2%, unemployment is notably high. Only 1.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Menlo is $107,100, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,078 per month. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Menlo experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Menlo has a population of 355 with a density of 710 people per square mile. The median age is 46.1 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.6%), with 2.5% Hispanic.

Population

355
Total Population
710
People / sq mi
46.1yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 57.2%
Female 42.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Menlo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Menlo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Menlo is $78,333, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 1.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Menlo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,333
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$35,825
Avg Weekly Wage$1,041
IRS Avg AGI$87,854

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.2%
183% above US avg
Poverty Rate1.9%
85% below US avg
Establishments (County)395
County GDP$753M

Business (County)

Restaurants27
Healthcare27
Retail36
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,696
63% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.32%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.7 min
Drive Alone77.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home12.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Menlo is $107,100, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,078 (7% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $206,836.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$107,100
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$206,836

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,078
7% below US avg
Rent Burden24.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied90.4%
Housing Units173
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,696
63% above US avg
Effective Rate5.32%
In Menlo, 37.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.8% of residents lack health insurance. 15.7% are current smokers. 22.1% report depression. 24.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.2%
16% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.6%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.1%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.7%
12% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.8%
Physical Inactivity24.1%
Depression22.1%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.2%
Short Sleep34.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Uninsured6.8%
21% below US avg
Checkup Rate73.7%
Dental Visits66.1%
Premature Death6,483/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access47.2%
Healthcare Facilities27
Menlo has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.1 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.4°F
10% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.1 inches
2% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,262 ft (385 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density710/sq mi
Coordinates41.5221°N, 94.4038°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19077
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 8.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38-point margin. 81.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.3%
D 30.3%

Winner: Republican by 38 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.6%
74% below US avg
High School+92.2%
Graduate Degree+1.9%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density710/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.5%
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities27
Restaurants27
Retail Stores36

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.7 min
Drive Alone77.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home12.3%

Nearby Cities

Stuart, IA 1,642 pop · 4.7 mi Guthrie Center, IA 1,603 pop · 11.8 mi Panora, IA 1,520 pop · 11.9 mi Earlham, IA 1,406 pop · 14.7 mi Greenfield, IA 1,826 pop · 15.2 mi Anita, IA 1,060 pop · 19.5 mi Adel, IA 6,259 pop · 21.1 mi Winterset, IA 5,384 pop · 23.3 mi Van Meter, IA 1,469 pop · 23.8 mi Dallas Center, IA 2,058 pop · 24.6 mi Perry, IA 7,928 pop · 27.1 mi Waukee, IA 26,974 pop · 27.3 mi Coon Rapids, IA 1,403 pop · 28.2 mi Audubon, IA 2,069 pop · 30.3 mi
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