Monona, IA

Iowa

Monona is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,618. Residents earn $70,509 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
1,618 Population 1,190/sq mi density
$70,509 Median Income $36,752 per capita
$125,900 Home Value $229,234 Zillow
$1,000 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$70,509 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$125,900 home value, $1,000/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,509
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $125,900
55% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.9%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,000
14% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.1%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.8%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,618
Median Age41.3 yrs
Density1,190/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A
Median Income$70,509
Per Capita$36,752
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty3.8%
County GDP$780M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$125,900
Rent$1,000
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$229,234

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.7 in/yr
Elevation1,188 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.9%
High School+93.9%
School Score5.24

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute26 min
Libraries6

Is Monona a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Monona receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Monona offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Monona is $70,509, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Monona is $125,900, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,000 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

14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Monona experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.7 inches, including 33.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Monona has a population of 1,618 with a density of 1,190 people per square mile. The median age is 41.3 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.3%).

Population

1,618
Total Population
1,190
People / sq mi
41.3yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Monona vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.7%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.3%
68% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Monona vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Monona is $70,509, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Monona vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,509
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,752
Avg Weekly Wage$881
IRS Avg AGI$64,956

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.8%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)472
County GDP$780M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare30
Retail63
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,042
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.42%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.8 min
Work from Home7.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Monona is $125,900, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,000 (14% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $229,234.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$125,900
55% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$229,234

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,000
14% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$682
1 Bedroom$700
2 Bedrooms$919
3 Bedrooms$1,145
4 Bedrooms$1,542

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,042
13% below US avg
Effective Rate2.42%
In Monona, 40.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.8% report depression. 26.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.1%
25% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.7%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.5%
Physical Inactivity26.2%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.7%
Checkup Rate75.5%
Premature Death6,990/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access55.6%
Healthcare Facilities30

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Monona has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.7°F
12% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.7 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall33.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,188 ft (362 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density1,190/sq mi
Coordinates43.0498°N, 91.3911°W
County FIPS19005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.5%
D 32.2%

Winner: Republican by 34.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.9%
56% below US avg
High School+93.9%
School Test Score5.24
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,190/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities30
Restaurants36
Retail Stores63

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.8 min
Work from Home7.3%

Nearby Cities

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