Milton, IA

Iowa

Milton is a small town in Iowa with a population of 451. Residents earn $41,875 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
451 Population 168/sq mi density
$41,875 Median Income $26,832 per capita
$54,400 Home Value $151,341 Zillow
$550 Median Rent 45.0% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$41,875 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$54,400 home value, $550/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,875
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $54,400
81% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.3%
72% lower than US avg
Median Rent $550
53% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.0%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 26.2%
111% higher than US avg

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

People

Population451
Median Age33.3 yrs
Density168/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans11.0%

Economy

C+
Median Income$41,875
Per Capita$26,832
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty26.2%
County GDP$407M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$54,400
Rent$550
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$151,341
Rent Burden45.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.4%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.1 in/yr
Elevation780 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.3%
High School+73.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute21 min
Broadband60.6%
Libraries1

Is Milton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Milton receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Milton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Milton is $41,875, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. The poverty rate of 26.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Milton is $54,400, 81% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $550 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 73.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Milton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.1 inches, including 24.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Milton has a population of 451 with a density of 168 people per square mile. The median age is 33.3 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.9%).

Population

451
Total Population
168
People / sq mi
33.3yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 57.6%
Female 42.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Milton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only75.6%
4% below US avg
Spanish24.4%
82% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Milton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Milton is $41,875, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 26.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Milton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,875
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,832
Avg Weekly Wage$974
IRS Avg AGI$62,369

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate26.2%
111% above US avg
Establishments (County)256
County GDP$407M

Business (County)

Restaurants13
Healthcare19
Retail31
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,575
2% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.57%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.0 min
Drive Alone54.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home20.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Milton is $54,400, 81% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $550 (53% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $151,341.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$54,400
81% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$151,341

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$550
53% below US avg
Rent Burden45.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,575
2% above US avg
Effective Rate6.57%
In Milton, 40.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.4% report depression. 28.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.0%
25% above US avg
Diabetes11.1%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure33.6%
Asthma10.9%
COPD8.4%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.3%
Physical Inactivity28.7%
Depression23.4%
Mental Distress19.7%
Physical Distress14.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.3%
Checkup Rate74.1%
Premature Death8,768/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access41.2%
Healthcare Facilities19

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Milton has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.2°F
5% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.1 inches
3% above US avg
Snowfall24.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation780 ft (238 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²)
Population Density168/sq mi
Coordinates40.6715°N, 92.1620°W
County FIPS19051
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 9.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.4-point margin. 60.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.6%
D 22.2%

Winner: Republican by 54.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.3%
72% below US avg
High School+73.1%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density168/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access60.6%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities19
Restaurants13
Retail Stores31

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.0 min
Drive Alone54.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home20.4%

Nearby Cities

Compare Milton with another city: