Ottumwa, IA

Iowa

Ottumwa is a small city in Iowa with a population of 25,352. Residents earn $56,994 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
25,352 Population 1,579/sq mi density
$56,994 Median Income $31,698 per capita
$92,400 Home Value $118,814 Zillow
$956 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
290 Violent Crime/100K 4,328 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$56,994 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$92,400 home value, $956/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
290 violent crimes/100K (24% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,994
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $92,400
67% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 290/100K
24% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.1%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $956
18% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.5%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.0%
13% higher than US avg

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

People

Population25,352
Median Age37.4 yrs
Density1,579/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 78%

Economy

B+
Median Income$56,994
Per Capita$31,698
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty14.0%
County GDP$2,160M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$92,400
Rent$956
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$118,814

Crime

F
Violent290/100K
Property4,328/100K
Murder4.0/100K
Assault206/100K
Burglary766/100K

Health

Obesity42.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.0 in/yr
Elevation647 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.1%
High School+85.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute17 min
EV Stations2
Libraries5

Is Ottumwa a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ottumwa receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Ottumwa offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ottumwa is $56,994, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. 14.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ottumwa is $92,400, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $956 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Ottumwa is below the national average at 290 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,328 per 100,000, 121% above the national average.

Education

20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ottumwa experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.0 inches, including 23.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Ottumwa has a population of 25,352 with a density of 1,579 people per square mile. The median age is 37.4 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.5%), with 2.7% Hispanic, 4.6% Black.

Population

25,352
Total Population
1,579
People / sq mi
37.4yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
16.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Ottumwa vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.4%
8% above US avg
Spanish15.6%
16% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Ottumwa vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ottumwa is $56,994, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Ottumwa vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,994
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,698
Avg Weekly Wage$1,021
IRS Avg AGI$61,051

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.0%
13% above US avg
Establishments (County)887
County GDP$2,160M

Business (County)

Restaurants77
Healthcare87
Retail116
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,777
8% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.09%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.2 min
Work from Home3.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Ottumwa is $92,400, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $956 (18% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $118,814.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$92,400
67% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$118,814
Median List Price$158,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$158,000
$/Sq Ft$98
Homes Sold21
Sale-to-List Ratio95.4%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory64

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$956
18% 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-Occupied61.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,777
8% above US avg
Effective Rate4.09%
In Ottumwa, 42.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.4% report depression. 31.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.5%
32% above US avg
Diabetes12.0%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.3%
Asthma10.6%
COPD7.9%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.8%
Physical Inactivity31.1%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress14.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.1%
Checkup Rate75.2%
Premature Death9,638/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.0/10
Exercise Access75.1%
Healthcare Facilities87
Ottumwa has a violent crime rate of 290 per 100,000 residents, 24% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,328 per 100,000 (121% above US avg). The murder rate is 4.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent290.4/100K
24% below US avg
Murder4.0/100K
36% below US avg
Rape56.5/100K
Robbery24.2/100K
Assault205.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,328.0/100K
121% above US avg
Burglary766.4/100K
Theft3,303.5/100K
Vehicle Theft258.2/100K
Arson72.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ottumwa has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.7°F
6% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.0 inches
3% below US avg
Snowfall23.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation647 ft (197 m)
Area16.1 sq mi (41.6 km²)
Population Density1,579/sq mi
Coordinates41.0223°N, 92.4233°W
County FIPS19179
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.1%
D 33.6%

Winner: Republican by 31.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.1%
40% below US avg
High School+85.6%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density1,579/sq mi
Total Area16.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities87
Restaurants77
Retail Stores116

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.2 min
Work from Home3.7%

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