Mount Ayr, IA

Iowa

Mount Ayr is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,739. Residents earn $68,676 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
1,739 Population 644/sq mi density
$68,676 Median Income $33,414 per capita
$144,500 Home Value $136,132 Zillow
$694 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$68,676 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$144,500 home value, $694/mo rent
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,676
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $144,500
49% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.0%
26% lower than US avg
Median Rent $694
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.8%
36% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.2%
66% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,739
Median Age40.7 yrs
Density644/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

A
Median Income$68,676
Per Capita$33,414
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty4.2%
County GDP$234M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$144,500
Rent$694
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$136,132

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity43.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.3%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.0 in/yr
Elevation1,233 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.0%
High School+93.8%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute22 min
Libraries1

Is Mount Ayr a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mount Ayr receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Mount Ayr stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mount Ayr is $68,676, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. Only 4.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mount Ayr is $144,500, 49% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $694 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

25.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Mount Ayr experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.0 inches, including 20.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Mount Ayr has a population of 1,739 with a density of 644 people per square mile. The median age is 40.7 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.3%).

Population

1,739
Total Population
644
People / sq mi
40.7yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.7%
Female 50.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Mount Ayr vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.0%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.0%
63% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Mount Ayr vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mount Ayr is $68,676, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Mount Ayr vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,676
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,414
Avg Weekly Wage$889
IRS Avg AGI$60,255

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.2%
66% below US avg
Establishments (County)182
County GDP$234M

Business (County)

Restaurants13
Healthcare11
Retail18
Manufacturing4

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,583
88% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.56%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.3 min
Work from Home10.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Mount Ayr is $144,500, 49% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $694 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $136,132.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$144,500
49% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$136,132

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$694
40% 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-Occupied69.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,583
88% above US avg
Effective Rate4.56%
In Mount Ayr, 43.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.3% report depression. 24.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Mount Ayr vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.8%
36% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.7%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.5%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.9%
Physical Inactivity24.7%
Depression23.3%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Checkup Rate75.4%
Premature Death8,711/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access53.7%
Healthcare Facilities11

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Mount Ayr has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.6°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.0 inches
3% below US avg
Snowfall20.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,233 ft (376 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²)
Population Density644/sq mi
Coordinates40.7141°N, 94.2372°W
County FIPS19159
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 25.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (26% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.1%
D 23.8%

Winner: Republican by 51.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.0%
26% below US avg
High School+93.8%
School Test Score5.73
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density644/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants13
Retail Stores18

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.3 min
Work from Home10.2%

Nearby Cities

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