Moorhead, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Moorhead is a small town in Iowa with a population of 263. Residents earn $35,938 per year, which is 52% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
263 Population 1,096/sq mi density
$35,938 Median Income $25,655 per capita
$56,400 Home Value $154,421 Zillow
$867 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$35,938 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$56,400 home value, $867/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
10.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,938
52% lower than US avg
Home Value $56,400
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.9%
68% lower than US avg
Median Rent $867
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.6%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 33.3%
169% higher than US avg

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

People

Population263
Median Age39.3 yrs
Density1,096/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans17.1%

Economy

C+
Median Income$35,938
Per Capita$25,655
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty33.3%
County GDP$675M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$56,400
Rent$867
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$154,421
Rent Burden51.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.2%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.4 in/yr
Elevation1,137 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.9%
High School+97.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute27 min
Broadband78.9%
Libraries6

Is Moorhead a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Moorhead is $35,938, 52% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. The poverty rate of 33.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Moorhead is $56,400, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $867 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Moorhead experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.4 inches, including 28.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Moorhead has a population of 263 with a density of 1,096 people per square mile. The median age is 39.3 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (99.6%).

Population

263
Total Population
1,096
People / sq mi
39.3yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.3%
Female 56.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Moorhead vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Moorhead vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Moorhead is $35,938, which is 52% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 33.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Moorhead vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,938
52% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,655
Avg Weekly Wage$965
IRS Avg AGI$76,751

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate33.3%
169% above US avg
Establishments (County)472
County GDP$675M

Business (County)

Restaurants29
Healthcare30
Retail40
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,152
19% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.8 min
Drive Alone82.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Moorhead is $56,400, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $867 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $154,421.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$56,400
80% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$154,421

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$867
25% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied74.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,152
19% above US avg
Effective Rate7.36%
In Moorhead, 42.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.2% report depression. 25.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.6%
33% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.8%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.5%
Physical Inactivity25.7%
Depression23.2%
Mental Distress19.2%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Checkup Rate75.6%
Premature Death6,755/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access33.7%
Healthcare Facilities30

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Moorhead has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.1°F
9% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.4 inches
9% below US avg
Snowfall28.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,137 ft (347 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density1,096/sq mi
Coordinates41.9233°N, 95.8514°W
County FIPS19085
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (68% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 41.8-point margin. 78.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.1%
D 28.3%

Winner: Republican by 41.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.9%
68% below US avg
High School+97.1%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,096/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.9%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities30
Restaurants29
Retail Stores40

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.8 min
Drive Alone82.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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