Patterson, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Patterson is a small town in Iowa with a population of 293. Residents earn $71,786 per year, which is 4% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
293 Population 651/sq mi density
$71,786 Median Income $32,806 per capita
$106,600 Home Value
$700 Median Rent 23.1% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$71,786 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$106,600 home value, $700/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,786
4% lower than US avg
Home Value $106,600
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.5%
75% lower than US avg
Median Rent $700
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.4%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.3%
81% lower than US avg

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

People

Population293
Median Age40.8 yrs
Density651/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 86%
Veterans2.1%

Economy

A
Median Income$71,786
Per Capita$32,806
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty2.3%
County GDP$1,885M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$106,600
Rent$700
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units139
Rent Burden23.1%

Health

Obesity35.4%
Uninsured5.5%
Smoking12.6%
Depression21.2%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.8 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation877 ft (267 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.5%
High School+88.2%
Graduate+0.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute28 min
Broadband86.3%
Libraries6

Is Patterson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Patterson receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Patterson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Patterson is $71,786, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Patterson is $106,600, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $700 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Patterson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.8 inches, including 30.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Patterson has a population of 293 with a density of 651 people per square mile. The median age is 40.8 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86%), with 6.5% Hispanic.

Population

293
Total Population
651
People / sq mi
40.8yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.7%
Female 41.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Patterson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Patterson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Patterson is $71,786, which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Patterson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,786
4% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,806
Avg Weekly Wage$985
IRS Avg AGI$93,680

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.3%
81% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,410
County GDP$1,885M

Business (County)

Restaurants83
Healthcare91
Retail108
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,817
66% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.46%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.5 min
Drive Alone89.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Patterson is $106,600, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $700 (40% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$106,600
62% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$700
40% below US avg
Rent Burden23.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied95.2%
Housing Units139
Median Year Built1978

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,817
66% above US avg
Effective Rate5.46%
In Patterson, 35.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 5.5% of residents lack health insurance. 12.6% are current smokers. 21.2% report depression. 19.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.4%
10% above US avg
Diabetes7.9%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure27.7%
Asthma9.8%
COPD4.8%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking12.6%
10% below US avg
Binge Drinking23.7%
Physical Inactivity19.6%
Depression21.2%
Mental Distress16.6%
Physical Distress10.5%
Short Sleep30.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.7%
Uninsured5.5%
36% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.6%
Dental Visits75.5%
Premature Death6,398/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access76.2%
Healthcare Facilities91
Patterson 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 37.8 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.8 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall30.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation877 ft (267 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density651/sq mi
Coordinates41.3484°N, 93.8776°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19181
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 8.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (75% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 20.7-point margin. 86.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.7%
D 38.9%

Winner: Republican by 20.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.5%
75% below US avg
High School+88.2%
Graduate Degree+0.9%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density651/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.3%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities91
Restaurants83
Retail Stores108

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.5 min
Drive Alone89.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.0%

Nearby Cities

Winterset, IA 5,384 pop · 7.3 mi Van Meter, IA 1,469 pop · 12.7 mi Norwalk, IA 13,610 pop · 13.3 mi West Des Moines, IA 69,893 pop · 14.8 mi Earlham, IA 1,406 pop · 16.2 mi Indianola, IA 15,918 pop · 16.2 mi Waukee, IA 26,974 pop · 16.7 mi Clive, IA 18,776 pop · 18.8 mi Adel, IA 6,259 pop · 19.3 mi Windsor Heights, IA 5,171 pop · 19.6 mi Urbandale, IA 46,026 pop · 20.6 mi Des Moines, IA 212,464 pop · 20.8 mi Osceola, IA 5,495 pop · 22.5 mi Carlisle, IA 4,187 pop · 22.8 mi
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