Osceola, IA

Iowa

Osceola is a small city in Iowa with a population of 5,495. Residents earn $62,363 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,495 Population 689/sq mi density
$62,363 Median Income $33,053 per capita
$145,300 Home Value $183,728 Zillow
$832 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
159 Violent Crime/100K 1,746 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$62,363 median income, 3.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$145,300 home value, $832/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
159 violent crimes/100K (58% below avg)
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,363
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $145,300
48% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 159/100K
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.4%
63% lower than US avg
Median Rent $832
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.6%
39% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.7%
14% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,495
Median Age38.2 yrs
Density689/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 79%

Economy

B+
Median Income$62,363
Per Capita$33,053
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty10.7%
County GDP$639M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$145,300
Rent$832
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$183,728

Crime

F
Violent159/100K
Property1,746/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault159/100K
Burglary456/100K

Health

Obesity44.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.7%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.7 in/yr
Elevation1,118 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.4%
High School+80.9%
School Score5.79

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute19 min
Libraries2

Is Osceola a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Osceola receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Osceola has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Osceola is $62,363, 17% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. 10.7% 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 Osceola is $145,300, 48% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $832 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Osceola is below the national average at 159 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,746 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Osceola 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 38.7 inches, including 28.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Osceola has a population of 5,495 with a density of 689 people per square mile. The median age is 38.2 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79%), with 3.1% Hispanic.

Population

5,495
Total Population
689
People / sq mi
38.2yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
8.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.7%
Female 48.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Osceola vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Osceola vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Osceola is $62,363, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Osceola vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,363
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,053
Avg Weekly Wage$961
IRS Avg AGI$60,534

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.7%
14% below US avg
Establishments (County)248
County GDP$639M

Business (County)

Restaurants18
Healthcare29
Retail25
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,650
33% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.20%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.0 min
Work from Home7.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Osceola is $145,300, 48% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $832 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $183,728.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$145,300
48% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$183,728

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$832
28% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$682
1 Bedroom$700
2 Bedrooms$919
3 Bedrooms$1,212
4 Bedrooms$1,217

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied56.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,650
33% above US avg
Effective Rate3.20%
In Osceola, 44.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.7% report depression. 33.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.6%
39% above US avg
Diabetes12.7%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure33.7%
Asthma10.4%
COPD8.6%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.1%
Physical Inactivity33.7%
Depression21.7%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress15.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.2%
Checkup Rate73.7%
Premature Death8,721/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access62.3%
Healthcare Facilities29
Osceola has a violent crime rate of 159 per 100,000 residents, 58% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,746 per 100,000 (11% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent158.7/100K
58% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault158.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,745.7/100K
11% below US avg
Burglary456.3/100K
Theft1,170.4/100K
Vehicle Theft119.0/100K
Arson19.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Osceola 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 38.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

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

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.7 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall28.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,118 ft (341 m)
Area8.0 sq mi (20.6 km²)
Population Density689/sq mi
Coordinates41.0297°N, 93.7853°W
County FIPS19039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.4%
D 28.4%

Winner: Republican by 42.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.4%
63% below US avg
High School+80.9%
School Test Score5.79
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density689/sq mi
Total Area8.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities29
Restaurants18
Retail Stores25

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.0 min
Work from Home7.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Osceola with another city: