Postville, IA

Iowa

Postville is a small town in Iowa with a population of 2,787. Residents earn $47,281 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
2,787 Population 1,302/sq mi density
$47,281 Median Income $19,913 per capita
$100,300 Home Value $209,052 Zillow
$872 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$47,281 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$100,300 home value, $872/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,281
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $100,300
64% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.7%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $872
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.8%
43% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 26.3%
112% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,787
Median Age25.4 yrs
Density1,302/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 62%

Economy

C+
Median Income$47,281
Per Capita$19,913
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty26.3%
County GDP$780M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$100,300
Rent$872
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$209,052

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity45.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.4%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.9 in/yr
Elevation1,176 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.7%
High School+81.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute21 min
EV Stations1
Libraries6

Is Postville a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Postville receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Postville offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Postville is $47,281, 37% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 26.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Postville is $100,300, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $872 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Postville 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 38.9 inches, including 39.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Postville has a population of 2,787 with a density of 1,302 people per square mile. The median age is 25.4 years, 35% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (61.5%), with 3.6% Hispanic, 10.7% Black.

Population

2,787
Total Population
1,302
People / sq mi
25.4yrs
Median Age
35% below US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Postville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only49.3%
37% below US avg
Spanish50.7%
278% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Postville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Postville is $47,281, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 26.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Postville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,281
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,913
Avg Weekly Wage$881
IRS Avg AGI$64,956

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate26.3%
112% above US avg
Establishments (County)472
County GDP$780M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare30
Retail63
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,042
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.03%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.9 min
Work from Home8.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Postville is $100,300, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $872 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $209,052.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$100,300
64% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$209,052

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$872
25% 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-Occupied55.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,042
13% below US avg
Effective Rate3.03%
In Postville, 45.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.4% report depression. 31.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.8%
43% above US avg
Diabetes12.3%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure33.6%
Asthma9.7%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.9%
Physical Inactivity31.8%
Depression19.4%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.2%
Checkup Rate73.6%
Premature Death6,990/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access55.6%
Healthcare Facilities30

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Postville 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 38.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.9 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall39.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,176 ft (358 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density1,302/sq mi
Coordinates43.0842°N, 91.5677°W
County FIPS19005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.5%
D 32.2%

Winner: Republican by 34.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.7%
56% below US avg
High School+81.2%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,302/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities30
Restaurants36
Retail Stores63

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.9 min
Work from Home8.5%

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