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Nichols, IA

Iowa

Nichols is a small town in Iowa with a population of 393. Residents earn $87,500 per year, which is 16% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
393 Population 1,709/sq mi density
$87,500 Median Income $33,652 per capita
$119,800 Home Value $201,193 Zillow
$638 Median Rent 9.0% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$87,500 median income, 0.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$119,800 home value, $638/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $87,500
16% higher than US avg
Home Value $119,800
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.6%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $638
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.3%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.1%
67% lower than US avg

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

People

Population393
Median Age33.7 yrs
Density1,709/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 86%
Veterans9.2%

Economy

A+
Median Income$87,500
Per Capita$33,652
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty4.1%
County GDP$3,242M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$119,800
Rent$638
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$201,193
Housing Units188
Rent Burden9.0%

Health

Obesity40.3%
Uninsured9.9%
Smoking17.4%
Depression20.8%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.0 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation631 ft (192 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.6%
High School+90.5%
Graduate+0.4%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute28 min
Broadband82.9%
Libraries3

Is Nichols a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Nichols receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Nichols offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Nichols is $87,500, 16% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. Only 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Nichols is $119,800, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $638 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Nichols experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 22°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 40.0 inches, including 23.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Nichols has a population of 393 with a density of 1,709 people per square mile. The median age is 33.7 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.3%).

Population

393
Total Population
1,709
People / sq mi
33.7yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.1%
Female 53.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Nichols vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only78.5%
0% below US avg
Spanish21.5%
60% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Nichols vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Nichols is $87,500, which is 16% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Nichols vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$87,500
16% above US avg
Per Capita Income$33,652
Avg Weekly Wage$1,223
IRS Avg AGI$71,292

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.1%
67% below 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 Rate4.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.1 min
Drive Alone82.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Nichols is $119,800, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $638 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $201,193.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$119,800
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$201,193

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$638
45% below US avg
Rent Burden9.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.2%
Housing Units188
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,864
39% above US avg
Effective Rate4.06%
In Nichols, 40.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.9% of residents lack health insurance. 17.4% are current smokers. 20.8% report depression. 28.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.3%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma10.1%
COPD6.7%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.4%
24% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.5%
Physical Inactivity28.0%
Depression20.8%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress13.1%
Short Sleep33.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.4%
Uninsured9.9%
15% above US avg
Checkup Rate73.5%
Dental Visits64.3%
Premature Death7,717/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access79.4%
Healthcare Facilities99
Nichols 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. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

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)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

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

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation631 ft (192 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density1,709/sq mi
Coordinates41.4797°N, 91.3080°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19139
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 11.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.9-point margin. 82.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.6%
D 41.7%

Winner: Republican by 14.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.6%
66% below US avg
High School+90.5%
Graduate Degree+0.4%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,709/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.9%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities99
Restaurants105
Retail Stores128

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.1 min
Drive Alone82.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.3%

Nearby Cities

Lone Tree, IA 1,285 pop · 6.2 mi West Liberty, IA 3,795 pop · 6.9 mi West Branch, IA 2,526 pop · 13.0 mi Fruitland, IA 1,107 pop · 13.0 mi Kent Estates, IA 1,863 pop · 13.0 mi Muscatine, IA 23,567 pop · 13.1 mi Riverside, IA 1,040 pop · 13.7 mi Columbus Junction, IA 2,129 pop · 14.2 mi Wilton, IA 2,943 pop · 16.5 mi Iowa City, IA 75,264 pop · 16.8 mi University Heights, IA 1,232 pop · 17.8 mi Kalona, IA 2,679 pop · 20.4 mi Coralville, IA 22,846 pop · 21.3 mi Wapello, IA 1,935 pop · 21.8 mi
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