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Ottosen, IA

Iowa

Ottosen is a small town in Iowa with a population of 31. Residents earn $43,125 per year, which is 43% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
31 Population 63/sq mi density
$43,125 Median Income $21,313 per capita
$65,000 Home Value
46°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$43,125 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$65,000 home value
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
20.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,125
43% lower than US avg
Home Value $65,000
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.8%
38% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.5%
48% lower than US avg

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

People

Population31
Median Age51.5 yrs
Density63/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans26.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$43,125
Per Capita$21,313
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty6.5%
County GDP$598M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$65,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units19
Rent Burden19.9%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.0 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,152 ft (351 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.8%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 24%
Commute25 min
Broadband13.0%
Libraries4

Is Ottosen a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ottosen receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Ottosen offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ottosen is $43,125, 43% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ottosen is $65,000, 77% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

20.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ottosen experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 35.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Ottosen has a population of 31 with a density of 63 people per square mile. The median age is 51.5 years, 32% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.5%).

Population

31
Total Population
63
People / sq mi
51.5yrs
Median Age
32% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.2%
Female 54.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Ottosen vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ottosen vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ottosen is $43,125, which is 43% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Ottosen vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,125
43% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,313
Avg Weekly Wage$1,014
IRS Avg AGI$86,410

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.5%
48% below US avg
Establishments (County)367
County GDP$598M

Business (County)

Restaurants20
Healthcare21
Retail38
Manufacturing24

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,919
41% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.57%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.2 min
Drive Alone60.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home20.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Ottosen is $65,000, 77% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$65,000
77% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden19.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.6%
Housing Units19
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,919
41% above US avg
Effective Rate7.57%
Ottosen has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.0 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.2°F
14% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.0 inches
8% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,152 ft (351 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density63/sq mi
Coordinates42.8977°N, 94.3760°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19091
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 20.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (38% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50-point margin. 13.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.4%
D 24.4%

Winner: Republican by 50 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.8%
38% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density63/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access13.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities21
Restaurants20
Retail Stores38

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.2 min
Drive Alone60.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home20.0%

Nearby Cities

St. Joseph, MO 71,542 pop · 7.6 mi Humboldt, IA 4,761 pop · 14.3 mi Algona, IA 5,414 pop · 14.3 mi Pocahontas, IA 1,536 pop · 18.4 mi Emmetsburg, IA 3,651 pop · 21.5 mi Laurens, IA 1,234 pop · 24.1 mi Manson, IA 1,653 pop · 26.8 mi Fort Dodge, IA 24,788 pop · 28.7 mi Eagle Grove, IA 3,588 pop · 28.9 mi Graettinger, IA 1,038 pop · 30.1 mi Britt, IA 1,919 pop · 32.1 mi Clarion, IA 2,775 pop · 34.7 mi Rockwell City, IA 2,449 pop · 36.8 mi Belmond, IA 2,678 pop · 39.0 mi
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