Monticello, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Monticello is a small town in Iowa with a population of 4,055. Residents earn $67,788 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
4,055 Population 720/sq mi density
$67,788 Median Income $37,935 per capita
$160,500 Home Value $223,746 Zillow
$659 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
262 Violent Crime/100K 1,101 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$67,788 median income, 0.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$160,500 home value, $659/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
262 violent crimes/100K (31% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,788
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $160,500
43% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 262/100K
31% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.4%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $659
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.3%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.1%
83% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,055
Median Age42.1 yrs
Density720/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

A
Median Income$67,788
Per Capita$37,935
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty2.1%
County GDP$858M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$160,500
Rent$659
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$223,746

Crime

F
Violent262/100K
Property1,101/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault262/100K
Burglary314/100K

Health

Obesity38.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.3%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.2 in/yr

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.4%
High School+93.5%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute19 min
Libraries7

Is Monticello a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Monticello receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Monticello offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Monticello is $67,788, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. Only 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Monticello is $160,500, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $659 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Monticello is below the national average at 262 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,101 per 100,000, 44% below the national average.

Education

19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Monticello experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Monticello has a population of 4,055 with a density of 720 people per square mile. The median age is 42.1 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91%), with 2.2% Hispanic, 1.6% Black.

Population

4,055
Total Population
720
People / sq mi
42.1yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
5.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.6%
Female 49.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Monticello vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.2%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.8%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Monticello vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Monticello is $67,788, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Monticello vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,788
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,935
Avg Weekly Wage$963
IRS Avg AGI$78,129

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.1%
83% below US avg
Establishments (County)667
County GDP$858M

Business (County)

Restaurants39
Healthcare43
Retail68
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,197
20% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.61%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.7 min
Work from Home4.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Monticello is $160,500, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $659 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $223,746.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$160,500
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$223,746
Median List Price$208,750

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$208,750
$/Sq Ft$105
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio98.5%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory8

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$659
43% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,197
20% above US avg
Effective Rate2.61%
In Monticello, 38.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.3% report depression. 22.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.3%
19% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma10.0%
COPD5.8%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.0%
Physical Inactivity22.6%
Depression21.3%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress11.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.1%
Checkup Rate75.6%
Premature Death5,993/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access71.9%
Healthcare Facilities43
Monticello has a violent crime rate of 262 per 100,000 residents, 31% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,101 per 100,000 (44% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent262.1/100K
31% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault262.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,100.6/100K
44% below US avg
Burglary314.5/100K
Theft681.3/100K
Vehicle Theft104.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Monticello has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.0°F
13% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.2 inches
6% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area5.6 sq mi (14.6 km²)
Population Density720/sq mi
Coordinates42.2304°N, 91.1859°W
County FIPS19105
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.3%
D 36%

Winner: Republican by 26.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.4%
42% below US avg
High School+93.5%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density720/sq mi
Total Area5.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities43
Restaurants39
Retail Stores68

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.7 min
Work from Home4.2%

Nearby Cities

Compare Monticello with another city: