Neola, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Neola is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,098. Residents earn $68,859 per year, which is 8% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
1,098 Population 1,373/sq mi density
$68,859 Median Income $30,280 per capita
$166,400 Home Value $301,567 Zillow
$994 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$68,859 median income, 0.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$166,400 home value, $994/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,859
8% lower than US avg
Home Value $166,400
41% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.4%
57% lower than US avg
Median Rent $994
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.8%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.5%
72% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,098
Median Age35.5 yrs
Density1,373/mi²
Male / Female41% / 60%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

A
Median Income$68,859
Per Capita$30,280
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty3.5%
County GDP$6,263M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$166,400
Rent$994
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$301,567

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.4%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain31.9 in/yr
Elevation1,160 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.4%
High School+97.7%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 39%
Commute26 min
Libraries5

Is Neola a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Neola receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Neola offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Neola is $68,859, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. Only 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Neola is $166,400, 41% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $994 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Neola experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.9 inches, including 27.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Neola has a population of 1,098 with a density of 1,373 people per square mile. The median age is 35.5 years, 9% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.9%).

Population

1,098
Total Population
1,373
People / sq mi
35.5yrs
Median Age
9% below US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 40.5%
Female 59.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Neola vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Neola vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Neola is $68,859, which is 8% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Neola vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,859
8% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,280
Avg Weekly Wage$1,085
IRS Avg AGI$73,871

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.5%
72% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,746
County GDP$6,263M

Business (County)

Restaurants209
Healthcare220
Retail252
Manufacturing62

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,355
53% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.22%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.2 min
Work from Home14.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Neola is $166,400, 41% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $994 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $301,567.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$166,400
41% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$301,567

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$187
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops100.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$994
15% 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-Occupied70.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,355
53% above US avg
Effective Rate3.22%
In Neola, 36.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.4% report depression. 21.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.8%
15% above US avg
Diabetes8.1%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure28.4%
Asthma10.5%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.4%
Physical Inactivity21.8%
Depression23.4%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress11.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.1%
Checkup Rate75.0%
Premature Death9,293/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access82.9%
Healthcare Facilities220

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Neola has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average52.4°F
3% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.9 inches
16% below US avg
Snowfall27.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,160 ft (354 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density1,373/sq mi
Coordinates41.4519°N, 95.6189°W
County FIPS19155
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 14.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 20-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.3%
D 39.3%

Winner: Republican by 20 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.4%
57% below US avg
High School+97.7%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,373/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities220
Restaurants209
Retail Stores252

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.2 min
Work from Home14.8%

Nearby Cities

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