Ossian, IA

Iowa

Ossian is a small town in Iowa with a population of 833. Residents earn $58,929 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
833 Population 779/sq mi density
$58,929 Median Income $35,989 per capita
$152,700 Home Value $264,067 Zillow
$707 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$58,929 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$152,700 home value, $707/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
18.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,929
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $152,700
46% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.0%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $707
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.5%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.5%
64% lower than US avg

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

People

Population833
Median Age39.8 yrs
Density779/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A
Median Income$58,929
Per Capita$35,989
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty4.5%
County GDP$1,354M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$152,700
Rent$707
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$264,067

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.8%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.6 in/yr
Elevation1,261 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.0%
High School+89.4%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute20 min
Libraries5

Is Ossian a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ossian receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Ossian offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ossian is $58,929, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. Only 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ossian is $152,700, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $707 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

18.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ossian experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.6 inches, including 37.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Ossian has a population of 833 with a density of 779 people per square mile. The median age is 39.8 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90%).

Population

833
Total Population
779
People / sq mi
39.8yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.7%
Female 44.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Ossian vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.5%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.5%
44% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ossian vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ossian is $58,929, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Ossian vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,929
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,989
Avg Weekly Wage$989
IRS Avg AGI$79,419

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.5%
64% below US avg
Establishments (County)767
County GDP$1,354M

Business (County)

Restaurants60
Healthcare59
Retail96
Manufacturing30

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,702
34% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.3 min
Work from Home5.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Ossian is $152,700, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $707 (39% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $264,067.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$152,700
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$264,067

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$707
39% 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-Occupied78.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,702
34% above US avg
Effective Rate3.08%
In Ossian, 36.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.8% report depression. 22.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.5%
14% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure28.7%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.7%
Physical Inactivity22.7%
Depression20.8%
Mental Distress17.0%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.4%
Checkup Rate75.6%
Premature Death4,480/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access74.3%
Healthcare Facilities59

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Ossian has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.5°F
10% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.6 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall37.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,261 ft (384 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density779/sq mi
Coordinates43.1470°N, 91.7646°W
County FIPS19191
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 18.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 9.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.9%
D 44.6%

Winner: Republican by 9.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.0%
47% below US avg
High School+89.4%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density779/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities59
Restaurants60
Retail Stores96

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.3 min
Work from Home5.9%

Nearby Cities

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