Mystic, IA

Iowa

Mystic is a small town in Iowa with a population of 257. Residents earn $42,222 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
257 Population 87/sq mi density
$42,222 Median Income $21,417 per capita
$56,900 Home Value $56,794 Zillow
$621 Median Rent 34.6% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$42,222 median income, 6.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$56,900 home value, $621/mo rent
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
3.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $42,222
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $56,900
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 3.5%
90% lower than US avg
Median Rent $621
47% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.3%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.3%
75% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.7%
22% lower than US avg

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

People

Population257
Median Age38.6 yrs
Density87/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 90%
Veterans13.1%

Economy

B
Median Income$42,222
Per Capita$21,417
Unemployment6.3%
Poverty9.7%
County GDP$518M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$56,900
Rent$621
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$56,794
Rent Burden34.6%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.6 in/yr
Elevation956 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+3.5%
High School+94.7%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute19 min
Broadband76.4%
Libraries3

Is Mystic a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mystic is $42,222, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 9.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mystic is $56,900, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $621 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

3.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Mystic experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Mystic has a population of 257 with a density of 87 people per square mile. The median age is 38.6 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.5%), with 10.1% Hispanic.

Population

257
Total Population
87
People / sq mi
38.6yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
2.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51%
Female 49%

Race & Ethnicity

Mystic vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Mystic vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mystic is $42,222, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Mystic vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$42,222
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,417
Avg Weekly Wage$887
IRS Avg AGI$56,195

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.3%
75% above US avg
Poverty Rate9.7%
22% below US avg
Establishments (County)410
County GDP$518M

Business (County)

Restaurants26
Healthcare30
Retail47
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,592
3% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.31%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.1 min
Drive Alone80.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Mystic is $56,900, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $621 (47% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $56,794.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$56,900
80% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$56,794

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$621
47% below US avg
Rent Burden34.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,592
3% above US avg
Effective Rate6.31%
In Mystic, 40.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 24.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.3%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure32.3%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.5%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.4%
Physical Inactivity24.0%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress18.0%
Physical Distress12.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.6%
Checkup Rate75.0%
Premature Death8,751/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access50.0%
Healthcare Facilities30

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Mystic has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.4°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.6 inches
2% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation956 ft (291 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.6 km²)
Population Density87/sq mi
Coordinates40.7792°N, 92.9444°W
County FIPS19007
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 3.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (90% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.7-point margin. 76.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.8%
D 26.1%

Winner: Republican by 46.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+3.5%
90% below US avg
High School+94.7%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density87/sq mi
Total Area2.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access76.4%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities30
Restaurants26
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.1 min
Drive Alone80.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.8%

Nearby Cities

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