Muscatine, IA

Iowa

Muscatine is a small city in Iowa with a population of 23,567. Residents earn $59,332 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
23,567 Population 1,295/sq mi density
$59,332 Median Income $31,057 per capita
$146,900 Home Value $179,758 Zillow
$979 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
607 Violent Crime/100K 2,004 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$59,332 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$146,900 home value, $979/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
607 violent crimes/100K (60% above avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,332
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $146,900
48% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 607/100K
60% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.2%
37% lower than US avg
Median Rent $979
16% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.4%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.9%
20% higher than US avg

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

People

Population23,567
Median Age36.7 yrs
Density1,295/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 80%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,332
Per Capita$31,057
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty14.9%
County GDP$3,242M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$146,900
Rent$979
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$179,758

Crime

F
Violent607/100K
Property2,004/100K
Murder13.0/100K
Assault490/100K
Burglary403/100K

Health

Obesity42.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.5%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain40.0 in/yr
Elevation722 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.2%
High School+89.8%
School Score5.39

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute17 min
EV Stations10
Libraries3

Is Muscatine a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Muscatine 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 elevated crime rates, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Muscatine offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Muscatine is $59,332, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. 14.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Muscatine is $146,900, 48% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $979 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 607 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,004 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

21.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Muscatine experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.0 inches, including 23.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Muscatine has a population of 23,567 with a density of 1,295 people per square mile. The median age is 36.7 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79.8%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 4.6% Black.

Population

23,567
Total Population
1,295
People / sq mi
36.7yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
18.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.6%
Female 49.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Muscatine vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.7%
7% above US avg
Spanish16.3%
22% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Muscatine vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Muscatine is $59,332, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Muscatine vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,332
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,057
Avg Weekly Wage$1,223
IRS Avg AGI$71,292

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.9%
20% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,233
County GDP$3,242M

Business (County)

Restaurants105
Healthcare99
Retail128
Manufacturing60

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,864
39% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.31%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.2 min
Work from Home5.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Muscatine is $146,900, 48% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $979 (16% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $179,758.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$146,900
48% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$179,758
Median List Price$175,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$175,000
$/Sq Ft$109
Homes Sold19
Sale-to-List Ratio94.7%
Price Drops32.1%
Inventory53

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$979
16% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$950

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$795
1 Bedroom$858
2 Bedrooms$1,071
3 Bedrooms$1,374
4 Bedrooms$1,605

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied68.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,864
39% above US avg
Effective Rate3.31%
In Muscatine, 42.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.5% report depression. 29.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.4%
32% above US avg
Diabetes10.9%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure32.0%
Asthma10.1%
COPD6.8%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.4%
Physical Inactivity29.7%
Depression20.5%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress13.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Checkup Rate74.4%
Premature Death7,717/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access79.4%
Healthcare Facilities99
Muscatine has a violent crime rate of 607 per 100,000 residents, 60% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,004 per 100,000 (2% above US avg). The murder rate is 13.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent607.2/100K
60% above US avg
Murder13.0/100K
107% above US avg
Rape73.7/100K
Robbery30.4/100K
Assault490.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,003.7/100K
2% above US avg
Burglary403.4/100K
Theft1,518.0/100K
Vehicle Theft82.4/100K
Arson34.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Muscatine has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.0 inches
5% above US avg
Snowfall23.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood
Good Days %73.5%
Unhealthy Days0

Geography

Elevation722 ft (220 m)
Area18.2 sq mi (47.1 km²)
Population Density1,295/sq mi
Coordinates41.4191°N, 91.0679°W
County FIPS19139
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 21.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (37% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.6%
D 41.7%

Winner: Republican by 14.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.2%
37% below US avg
High School+89.8%
School Test Score5.39
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,295/sq mi
Total Area18.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations10
Alt Fuel Stations17
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities99
Restaurants105
Retail Stores128

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.2 min
Work from Home5.9%

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