Prairie City, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Prairie City is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,649. Residents earn $78,269 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
1,649 Population 1,330/sq mi density
$78,269 Median Income $37,265 per capita
$177,400 Home Value $256,967 Zillow
$796 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
296 Violent Crime/100K 1,719 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$78,269 median income, 4.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$177,400 home value, $796/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
296 violent crimes/100K (22% below avg)
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
29.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,269
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $177,400
37% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 296/100K
22% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 29.2%
13% lower than US avg
Median Rent $796
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.8%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.5%
25% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.1%
91% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,649
Median Age37.0 yrs
Density1,330/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

A
Median Income$78,269
Per Capita$37,265
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty1.1%
County GDP$1,523M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$177,400
Rent$796
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$256,967

Crime

F
Violent296/100K
Property1,719/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault296/100K
Burglary830/100K

Health

Obesity36.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.6 in/yr
Elevation926 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+29.2%
High School+97.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute27 min
Libraries8

Is Prairie City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Prairie City receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Prairie City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Prairie City is $78,269, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.5%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Prairie City is $177,400, 37% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $796 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Prairie City is below the national average at 296 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,719 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

29.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Prairie City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Prairie City has a population of 1,649 with a density of 1,330 people per square mile. The median age is 37.0 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.2%).

Population

1,649
Total Population
1,330
People / sq mi
37.0yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.4%
Female 49.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Prairie City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.0%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Prairie City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Prairie City is $78,269, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Prairie City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,269
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$37,265
Avg Weekly Wage$960
IRS Avg AGI$72,700

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.5%
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate1.1%
91% below US avg
Establishments (County)984
County GDP$1,523M

Business (County)

Restaurants63
Healthcare66
Retail96
Manufacturing37

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,099
17% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.31%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.0 min
Work from Home17.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Prairie City is $177,400, 37% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $796 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $256,967.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$177,400
37% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$256,967

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$208
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops16.7%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$796
32% 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-Occupied76.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,099
17% above US avg
Effective Rate2.31%
In Prairie City, 36.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 21.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Prairie City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.8%
15% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure30.0%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.6%
Physical Inactivity21.8%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress11.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.3%
Checkup Rate76.1%
Premature Death7,112/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access76.5%
Healthcare Facilities66
Prairie City has a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, 22% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,719 per 100,000 (12% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent296.4/100K
22% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault296.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,719.0/100K
12% below US avg
Burglary829.9/100K
Theft829.9/100K
Vehicle Theft59.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Prairie City has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.6 inches
4% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation926 ft (282 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density1,330/sq mi
Coordinates41.5954°N, 93.2393°W
County FIPS19099
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 29.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (13% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63%
D 35.4%

Winner: Republican by 27.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+29.2%
13% below US avg
High School+97.2%
School Test Score5.73
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,330/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities66
Restaurants63
Retail Stores96

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.0 min
Work from Home17.8%

Nearby Cities

Compare Prairie City with another city: