Violent Crime
95/100K
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
38.8%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment
0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
0.0%
100% lower than US avg
How Mount Sterling Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population32
Density100/mi²
Male / Female0% / 100%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans32.0%
Economy
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$295M
Housing
Ownership100.0%
Zillow$196,299
Rent Burden27.5%
Crime
F
Violent95/100K
Property3,016/100K
Health
Obesity38.8%
Smoking18.0%
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.8%
Climate
Avg Temp51°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.7 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation652 ft (199 m)
Education
A+
Bachelor's+0.0%
High School+100.0%
School Score5.21
Community
2024 VoteR 77% / D 21%
Broadband11.0%
EV Stations1
Libraries7
Is Mount Sterling a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Mount Sterling receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Mount Sterling offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%.
Safety & Crime
Mount Sterling is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 95 per 100,000 residents / well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,016 per 100,000, 54% above the national average.
Education
0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.
Climate & Weather
Mount Sterling experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.7 inches, including 23.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Mount Sterling has a population of 32 with a density of 100 people per square mile, spread across 0.4 square miles. The gender split is 100% female and 0% male. The city is predominantly White (100%). 32.0% of the population are veterans, above the national rate of 6.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mount Sterling vs U.S. Average
Social Characteristics
Mount Sterling vs U.S. Average
The average weekly wage is $890, 38% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 224 business establishments, including 10 restaurants. The cost of living index is 87.8, below the national baseline of 100 / offering relatively affordable living.
Income: Mount Sterling vs U.S.
Income
| |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $890 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $60,133 |
| Gini Index | 0.464 (0=equal, 1=unequal) |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 224 |
| County GDP | $295M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 10 |
| Healthcare | 9 |
| Retail | 22 |
| Manufacturing | 14 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $2,888 |
| 17% below US avg |
| Cost of Living | 87.80 (100=avg) |
Zillow estimates the typical home value at $196,299. Fair market rent ranges from $788 for a one-bedroom to $989 for a two-bedroom apartment. 100.0% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). The average annual property tax is $2,888 (lower than the $3,500 national average). 27.5% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing.
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $738 |
| 1 Bedroom | $788 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $989 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,282 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 100.0% |
| Owner-Occupied | 100.0% |
| Renter-Occupied | 0.0% |
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $2,888 |
| 17% below US avg |
In Mount Sterling, 38.8% of adults are obese, above the national rate of 32.1%. 10.1% have diabetes. Heart disease affects 5.8% of residents. 32.0% have high blood pressure. 18.0% are current smokers (above the 14.0% national rate). 21.8% report binge drinking. 26.3% are physically inactive. 22.5% report depression. 18.7% experience frequent mental distress. The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,207. The dentist ratio is 1:7,256. 42.8% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The food environment index is 8.0 out of 10.
Health Metrics: Mount Sterling vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 38.8% |
| 21% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 10.1% |
| Heart Disease | 5.8% |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.0% |
| Asthma | 10.5% |
| COPD | 7.1% |
| Cancer | 7.4% |
| Stroke | 3.1% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| Smoking | 18.0% |
| 29% above US avg |
| Binge Drinking | 21.8% |
| Physical Inactivity | 26.3% |
| Depression | 22.5% |
| Mental Distress | 18.7% |
| Physical Distress | 13.3% |
| Short Sleep | 35.6% |
Healthcare Access
| |
| Primary Care | 1:1,207 |
| Dentists | 1:7,256 |
| Mental Health | 1:2,422 |
| Checkup Rate | 74.5% |
| Dental Visits | 60.4% |
| Premature Death | 7,795/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 8.0/10 |
| Exercise Access | 42.8% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 9 |
Mount Sterling has a violent crime rate of 95 per 100,000 residents, 75% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,016 per 100,000, 54% above the U.S. average. The county recorded 2 fatal traffic crashes. Overall, Mount Sterling receives a safety grade of F.
Crime Rates: Mount Sterling vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
| Total Violent | 95.2/100K |
| 75% below US avg |
| |
Property Crime
| Total Property | 3,015.6/100K |
| 54% above US avg |
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 2 |
| Avg Accident Severity | 0.0 / 4.0 |
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
Mount Sterling experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 39.7 inches. The area receives 23.0 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 652 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.6°F |
| 6% below US avg |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 652 ft (199 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 100/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.6185°N, 91.9354°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Van Buren County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ottumwa Regional (OTM)
43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall
39.7"
5% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)
4.61"
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0462 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 2.5 ppb |
| SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) | 0.21 ppb |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 8.0 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 33.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 71.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado |
Relatively Low |
| Hurricane |
Very Low |
| Earthquake |
Very Low |
| Wildfire |
Very Low |
| Flood |
Relatively Low |
| Hail |
Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind |
Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave |
Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather |
Very Low |
| Lightning |
Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm |
Very Low |
| Drought |
Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave |
Very Low |
| Landslide |
Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest: M2.9. Most recent: M2.9 on Feb 8, 2004.
| Feb 8, 2004 |
6 km SSW of Stoutsville, Missouri |
M2.9 |
125 km |
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)
Tornado History
403 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 235 injuries.
| Date |
Rating |
Distance |
Fatalities |
| Mar 31, 2023 |
EF4 |
77 km |
0 |
| May 13, 1995 |
EF4 |
53 km |
0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 |
EF4 |
89 km |
1 |
| Jan 24, 1967 |
EF4 |
56 km |
0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 |
EF3 |
60 km |
0 |
| May 27, 2019 |
EF3 |
8 km |
0 |
| Jun 1, 2007 |
EF3 |
96 km |
0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 |
EF3 |
51 km |
0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 |
EF3 |
43 km |
0 |
| May 15, 1998 |
EF3 |
76 km |
0 |
| Apr 13, 1974 |
EF3 |
85 km |
0 |
| Apr 13, 1974 |
EF3 |
55 km |
0 |
| Sep 30, 1973 |
EF3 |
95 km |
0 |
| May 1, 1973 |
EF3 |
28 km |
2 |
| Apr 20, 1973 |
EF3 |
23 km |
0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 |
EF3 |
42 km |
0 |
| Apr 16, 1967 |
EF3 |
17 km |
2 |
| Jan 24, 1967 |
EF3 |
52 km |
1 |
| Jan 24, 1967 |
EF3 |
31 km |
0 |
| Sep 20, 1965 |
EF3 |
82 km |
0 |
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km.
Largest: UNIT 3 (1,206 ac, 1999).
| Year |
Name |
Acres |
Distance |
| 1999 |
UNIT 3 |
1,206 |
90 km |
| 2002 |
HSB 03 2 |
1,130 |
89 km |
| 2000 |
DESTRUST A |
756 |
90 km |
| 2006 |
HSB 003 |
674 |
89 km |
| 2004 |
HSB 009 |
608 |
90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)
Monthly Weather
| Month |
Avg Temperature |
Precipitation |
Summary |
| January |
23°F (-5°C) |
1.4 in |
Coldest |
| February |
29°F (-2°C) |
1.1 in |
Driest |
| March |
40°F (4°C) |
2.7 in |
|
| April |
52°F (11°C) |
3.6 in |
|
| May |
62°F (17°C) |
4.1 in |
|
| June |
71°F (22°C) |
3.9 in |
|
| July |
75°F (24°C) |
4.6 in |
Warmest, Wettest |
| August |
74°F (23°C) |
3.9 in |
|
| September |
66°F (19°C) |
4.5 in |
|
| October |
54°F (12°C) |
3.1 in |
|
| November |
41°F (5°C) |
2.4 in |
|
| December |
28°F (-2°C) |
1.9 in |
|
Mount Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 23°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (1.1").
Average costs for common services in Mount Sterling. Prices are estimated based on regional cost of living data and may vary by provider.
Healthcare
| Doctor Visit (Primary Care) |
$220 ($132–$351) |
| Specialist Visit |
$307 ($176–$483) |
| Urgent Care Visit |
$176 ($88–$307) |
| Emergency Room Visit |
$1,932 ($702–$4,390) |
| Dental Cleaning |
$114 ($66–$176) |
| Dental Filling |
$220 ($132–$351) |
View all 40 services
Auto Repair
| Oil Change (Conventional) |
$40 ($22–$66) |
| Oil Change (Synthetic) |
$66 ($44–$105) |
| Brake Pad Replacement |
$263 ($132–$439) |
| Tire Rotation |
$35 ($18–$66) |
| New Tires (Set of 4) |
$527 ($351–$878) |
| Battery Replacement |
$176 ($88–$307) |
View all 18 services
Home Services
| Plumber (Per Hour) |
$88 ($53–$132) |
| Electrician (Per Hour) |
$79 ($44–$123) |
| HVAC Repair |
$351 ($132–$702) |
| HVAC System Install |
$6,146 ($3,512–$10,536) |
| Roof Repair |
$878 ($351–$1,756) |
| Roof Replacement |
$7,902 ($4,829–$13,170) |
View all 25 services
Legal
| Divorce (Uncontested) |
$1,317 ($439–$3,073) |
| Divorce (Contested) |
$13,170 ($4,390–$26,340) |
| DUI Defense |
$4,390 ($1,756–$8,780) |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) |
$1,317 ($702–$2,634) |
| Will Preparation |
$439 ($176–$878) |
| Trust Preparation |
$2,195 ($878–$4,390) |
View all 12 services
Personal Care
| Men's Haircut |
$22 ($13–$40) |
| Women's Haircut |
$48 ($26–$88) |
| Hair Coloring (Full) |
$132 ($66–$220) |
| Manicure |
$22 ($13–$40) |
| Pedicure |
$35 ($22–$57) |
| Massage (1 Hour) |
$70 ($44–$114) |
View all 12 services
Food & Grocery
| Gallon of Milk (per gallon) |
$3.60 ($2.63–$4.83) |
| Dozen Eggs (per dozen) |
$3.07 ($2.20–$4.39) |
| Loaf of Bread |
$3.34 ($2.20–$4.83) |
| Chicken Breast (per lb) |
$3.95 ($2.63–$5.71) |
| Ground Beef (per lb) |
$4.83 ($3.51–$6.59) |
| Rice (per lb) |
$0.88 ($0.53–$1.58) |
View all 20 services
Utilities
| Electricity (Monthly) |
$123 ($70–$220) |
| Natural Gas (Monthly) |
$61 ($26–$132) |
| Water/Sewer (Monthly) |
$61 ($35–$105) |
| Internet (Monthly) |
$61 ($35–$88) |
| Cell Phone Plan (Monthly) |
$57 ($26–$88) |
| Cable TV (Monthly) |
$75 ($44–$132) |
View all 8 services
Transportation
| Monthly Parking (Downtown) |
$176 ($66–$439) |
| Car Insurance (Annual) |
$1,756 ($1,054–$3,073) |
| Bus Pass (Monthly) |
$61 ($26–$114) |
| Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride) |
$13 ($7.02–$22) |
| Car Registration (Annual) |
$88 ($26–$220) |
| Driver's License Renewal |
$26 ($13–$66) |
View all 8 services
Education & Childcare
| Daycare (Infant, Monthly) |
$1,054 ($527–$2,195) |
| Daycare (Toddler, Monthly) |
$878 ($439–$1,756) |
| After-School Care (Monthly) |
$351 ($176–$615) |
| Tutoring (Per Hour) |
$44 ($22–$88) |
| SAT/ACT Prep Course |
$878 ($351–$2,195) |
| Private School (K-12, Annual) |
$10,975 ($4,390–$26,340) |
View all 8 services
Pets
| Vet Visit (Routine Checkup) |
$53 ($26–$88) |
| Dog Vaccination (Annual) |
$88 ($44–$176) |
| Dog Grooming |
$53 ($26–$88) |
| Pet Boarding (Per Night) |
$35 ($18–$66) |
| Dog Spay/Neuter |
$263 ($132–$439) |
| Cat Spay/Neuter |
$176 ($88–$351) |
View all 9 services
Childcare
| Center-Based (monthly) |
| Infant | $670 |
| Toddler | $578 |
| Preschool | $578 |
| Family Childcare (monthly) |
| Infant | $440 |
| Toddler | $433 |
| Preschool | $433 |
Source: DOL Women's Bureau (2022)
Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Sterling
What is the population of Mount Sterling?
Mount Sterling has a population of 32 residents and is located in Iowa. The population density is 100 people per square mile, spread across 0.4 square miles. The population is 100% female and 0% male.
Is Mount Sterling expensive to live in?
Mount Sterling is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 87.8 / below the baseline of 100.
Is Mount Sterling safe?
Mount Sterling is considered a very safe city with a violent crime rate of 95 per 100,000 residents, well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,016 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Mount Sterling receives a safety grade of F based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Mount Sterling?
Mount Sterling has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 23°F in January, while summers reach an average of 75°F in July. The area receives 275 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 39.7 inches, with 23.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 43.
How is the job market in Mount Sterling?
The job market in Mount Sterling is very strong, with unemployment at just 0.0% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $890. There are 224 business establishments in the area, including 10 restaurants and food service locations.
How are the schools in Mount Sterling?
Schools in Mount Sterling score 5.2 out of 10 on standardized testing, near the national average. 0.0% of adults in Mount Sterling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school.
How healthy is Mount Sterling?
The obesity rate in Mount Sterling is 38.8% (above the national rate of 32.1%). 18.0% of adults are smokers. 26.3% are physically inactive. 22.5% of residents report depression. 42.8% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,207.
What are the demographics of Mount Sterling?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Mount Sterling is 100% White. 32.0% of the population are military veterans.
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