Peterson, IA

Iowa

Peterson is a small town in Iowa with a population of 373. Residents earn $76,875 per year, which is 2% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
373 Population 717/sq mi density
$76,875 Median Income $41,309 per capita
$86,700 Home Value $156,312 Zillow
$850 Median Rent 13.8% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$76,875 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$86,700 home value, $850/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $76,875
2% higher than US avg
Home Value $86,700
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.4%
34% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.2%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.1%
91% lower than US avg

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

People

Population373
Median Age37.6 yrs
Density717/mi²
Male / Female56% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans12.2%

Economy

A+
Median Income$76,875
Per Capita$41,309
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty1.1%
County GDP$1,938M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$86,700
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$156,312
Rent Burden13.8%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain32.0 in/yr
Elevation1,250 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.4%
High School+94.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute30 min
Broadband84.2%
Libraries8

Is Peterson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Peterson receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Peterson stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Peterson is $76,875, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Peterson is $86,700, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

22.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Peterson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.0 inches, including 35.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Peterson has a population of 373 with a density of 717 people per square mile. The median age is 37.6 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.4%).

Population

373
Total Population
717
People / sq mi
37.6yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.5%
Female 44.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Peterson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Peterson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Peterson is $76,875, which is 2% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Peterson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,875
2% above US avg
Per Capita Income$41,309
Avg Weekly Wage$1,036
IRS Avg AGI$67,827

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.1%
91% below US avg
Establishments (County)610
County GDP$1,938M

Business (County)

Restaurants38
Healthcare48
Retail82
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,292
51% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.10%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.9 min
Drive Alone88.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Peterson is $86,700, 69% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $156,312.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$86,700
69% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$156,312

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Rent Burden13.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied87.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,292
51% above US avg
Effective Rate6.10%
In Peterson, 35.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 24.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.2%
10% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure29.8%
Asthma10.2%
COPD6.0%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.9%
Physical Inactivity24.3%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress12.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.1%
Checkup Rate74.5%
Premature Death6,218/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access79.6%
Healthcare Facilities48

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Peterson has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.4°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.0 inches
16% below US avg
Snowfall35.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,250 ft (381 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density717/sq mi
Coordinates42.9173°N, 95.3431°W
County FIPS19021
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 22.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.3-point margin. 84.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66%
D 32.8%

Winner: Republican by 33.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.4%
34% below US avg
High School+94.9%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density717/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access84.2%
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities48
Restaurants38
Retail Stores82

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.9 min
Drive Alone88.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.4%

Nearby Cities

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