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Morning Sun, IA

Iowa

Morning Sun is a small town in Iowa with a population of 733. Residents earn $63,500 per year, which is 16% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
733 Population 940/sq mi density
$63,500 Median Income $32,349 per capita
$90,300 Home Value $166,447 Zillow
$875 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$63,500 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$90,300 home value, $875/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,500
16% lower than US avg
Home Value $90,300
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.5%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $875
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.1%
27% lower than US avg

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

People

Population733
Median Age43.9 yrs
Density940/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans5.3%

Economy

A
Median Income$63,500
Per Capita$32,349
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty9.1%
County GDP$930M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$90,300
Rent$875
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$166,447
Housing Units303
Rent Burden51.0%

Health

Obesity39.6%
Uninsured7.9%
Smoking16.7%
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F (11°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.3 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation750 ft (229 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.5%
High School+88.9%
Graduate+1.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 29%
Commute24 min
Broadband83.5%
Libraries4

Is Morning Sun a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Morning Sun receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Morning Sun offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Morning Sun is $63,500, 16% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 9.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Morning Sun is $90,300, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $875 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Morning Sun experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Morning Sun has a population of 733 with a density of 940 people per square mile. The median age is 43.9 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.9%), with 4.1% Hispanic.

Population

733
Total Population
940
People / sq mi
43.9yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Morning Sun vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Morning Sun vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Morning Sun is $63,500, which is 16% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Morning Sun vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,500
16% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,349
Avg Weekly Wage$1,007
IRS Avg AGI$67,697

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.1%
27% below US avg
Establishments (County)281
County GDP$930M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare22
Retail24
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,750
21% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.5 min
Drive Alone92.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Morning Sun is $90,300, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $875 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $166,447.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$90,300
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$166,447

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$875
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-Occupied89.1%
Housing Units303
Median Year Built1953

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,750
21% below US avg
Effective Rate3.05%
In Morning Sun, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.9% of residents lack health insurance. 16.7% are current smokers. 22.7% report depression. 25.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Morning Sun vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure29.8%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.5%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.7%
19% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.4%
Physical Inactivity25.3%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress12.5%
Short Sleep34.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Uninsured7.9%
8% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.1%
Dental Visits64.1%
Premature Death6,584/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access59.0%
Healthcare Facilities22
Morning Sun 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 36.3 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. 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)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.3 inches
4% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation750 ft (229 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density940/sq mi
Coordinates41.0941°N, 91.2506°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19115
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 11.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 41-point margin. 83.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.8%
D 28.8%

Winner: Republican by 41 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.5%
66% below US avg
High School+88.9%
Graduate Degree+1.6%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density940/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.5%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities22
Restaurants12
Retail Stores24

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.5 min
Drive Alone92.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.1%

Nearby Cities

Wapello, IA 1,935 pop · 6.6 mi Mediapolis, IA 1,930 pop · 7.5 mi Winfield, IA 1,065 pop · 10.0 mi Columbus Junction, IA 2,129 pop · 14.1 mi New London, IA 2,402 pop · 14.2 mi Mount Pleasant, IA 9,093 pop · 17.9 mi Fruitland, IA 1,107 pop · 18.6 mi West Burlington, IA 3,184 pop · 19.2 mi Burlington, IA 23,800 pop · 20.9 mi Wayland, IA 1,140 pop · 21.5 mi Muscatine, IA 23,567 pop · 24.4 mi Washington, IA 7,314 pop · 27.0 mi Aledo, IL 3,753 pop · 27.2 mi Kent Estates, IA 1,863 pop · 27.6 mi
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