Oskaloosa, IA

Iowa

Oskaloosa is a small city in Iowa with a population of 11,492. Residents earn $62,172 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
11,492 Population 1,426/sq mi density
$62,172 Median Income $35,799 per capita
$128,900 Home Value $181,520 Zillow
$880 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$62,172 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$128,900 home value, $880/mo rent
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,172
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $128,900
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.0%
23% lower than US avg
Median Rent $880
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.2%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.3%
33% lower than US avg

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

People

Population11,492
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density1,426/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A
Median Income$62,172
Per Capita$35,799
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty8.3%
County GDP$1,192M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$128,900
Rent$880
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$181,520

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.8%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.7 in/yr
Elevation846 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.0%
High School+94.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute16 min
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Is Oskaloosa a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Oskaloosa receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Oskaloosa stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Oskaloosa is $62,172, 17% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. 8.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Oskaloosa is $128,900, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $880 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

26.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Oskaloosa 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. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Oskaloosa has a population of 11,492 with a density of 1,426 people per square mile. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.7%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 2% Black.

Population

11,492
Total Population
1,426
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
8.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.7%
Female 50.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Oskaloosa vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.0%
24% above US avg
Spanish3.0%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Oskaloosa vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Oskaloosa is $62,172, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Oskaloosa vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,172
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,799
Avg Weekly Wage$1,067
IRS Avg AGI$73,144

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.3%
33% below US avg
Establishments (County)625
County GDP$1,192M

Business (County)

Restaurants44
Healthcare43
Retail75
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,289
23% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.33%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.8 min
Work from Home5.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Oskaloosa is $128,900, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $880 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $181,520.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$128,900
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$181,520
Median List Price$114,750

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$114,750
$/Sq Ft$145
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio94.2%
Price Drops30.4%
Inventory23

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$880
24% 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-Occupied60.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,289
23% above US avg
Effective Rate3.33%
In Oskaloosa, 40.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.8% report depression. 28.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.2%
25% above US avg
Diabetes10.3%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure32.5%
Asthma10.6%
COPD7.2%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity28.6%
Depression22.8%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.0%
Checkup Rate74.7%
Premature Death7,887/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access70.6%
Healthcare Facilities43

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Oskaloosa 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 Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.7 inches
2% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation846 ft (258 m)
Area8.1 sq mi (20.9 km²)
Population Density1,426/sq mi
Coordinates41.2922°N, 92.6409°W
County FIPS19123
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 26.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.2%
D 23.6%

Winner: Republican by 51.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.0%
23% below US avg
High School+94.0%
School Test Score5.73
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,426/sq mi
Total Area8.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities43
Restaurants44
Retail Stores75

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.8 min
Work from Home5.5%

Nearby Cities

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