Norwalk, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Norwalk is a small city in Iowa with a population of 13,610. Residents earn $94,583 per year, which is 26% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
13,610 Population 1,168/sq mi density
$94,583 Median Income $47,919 per capita
$275,700 Home Value $329,202 Zillow
$869 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
10 Violent Crime/100K 919 property/100K
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$94,583 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$275,700 home value, $869/mo rent
D
Safety
1.8 / 5.0
10 violent crimes/100K (97% below avg)
A
Education
4.2 / 5.0
40.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $94,583
26% higher than US avg
Home Value $275,700
2% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 10/100K
97% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 40.2%
19% higher than US avg
Median Rent $869
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.7%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.0%
92% lower than US avg

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

People

Population13,610
Median Age36.5 yrs
Density1,168/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

A+
Median Income$94,583
Per Capita$47,919
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty1.0%
County GDP$1,885M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$275,700
Rent$869
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$329,202

Crime

D
Violent10/100K
Property919/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary51/100K

Health

Obesity37.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.9%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.8 in/yr
Elevation909 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+40.2%
High School+98.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute22 min
EV Stations1
Libraries6

Is Norwalk a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Norwalk receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Norwalk stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Norwalk is $94,583, 26% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 1.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Norwalk is $275,700, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $869 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Norwalk is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 10 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 919 per 100,000, 53% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 40.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 98.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Norwalk 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 37.8 inches, including 30.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Norwalk has a population of 13,610 with a density of 1,168 people per square mile. The median age is 36.5 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.3%).

Population

13,610
Total Population
1,168
People / sq mi
36.5yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
11.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Norwalk vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.0%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Norwalk vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Norwalk is $94,583, which is 26% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Norwalk vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$94,583
26% above US avg
Per Capita Income$47,919
Avg Weekly Wage$985
IRS Avg AGI$93,680

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.0%
92% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,410
County GDP$1,885M

Business (County)

Restaurants83
Healthcare91
Retail108
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,817
66% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.11%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.6 min
Work from Home16.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Norwalk is $275,700, 2% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $869 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $329,202.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$275,700
2% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$329,202
Median List Price$400,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$400,000
$/Sq Ft$230
Homes Sold20
Sale-to-List Ratio98.8%
Price Drops14.9%
Inventory134

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$869
25% 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-Occupied84.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,817
66% above US avg
Effective Rate2.11%
In Norwalk, 37.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.9% report depression. 19.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.7%
17% above US avg
Diabetes7.8%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure28.0%
Asthma9.7%
COPD4.5%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.8%
Physical Inactivity19.1%
Depression20.9%
Mental Distress15.6%
Physical Distress10.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.4%
Checkup Rate75.7%
Premature Death6,398/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access76.2%
Healthcare Facilities91
Norwalk has a violent crime rate of 10 per 100,000 residents, 97% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 919 per 100,000 (53% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent10.2/100K
97% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape10.2/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property918.7/100K
53% below US avg
Burglary51.0/100K
Theft806.4/100K
Vehicle Theft61.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeD
Safety Score1.8 / 5.0
Norwalk 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 37.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.8 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall30.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation909 ft (277 m)
Area11.7 sq mi (30.2 km²)
Population Density1,168/sq mi
Coordinates41.4837°N, 93.6955°W
County FIPS19181
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 40.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (19% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 20.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.7%
D 38.9%

Winner: Republican by 20.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+40.2%
19% above US avg
High School+98.6%
School Test Score5.73
A Education Grade (4.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,168/sq mi
Total Area11.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities91
Restaurants83
Retail Stores108

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
D Safety Grade (1.8/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.6 min
Work from Home16.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Norwalk with another city: