At a Glance
Median Income
$78,269
$37,265 per capita
Home Value
$177,400
Zillow: $273,113
Median Rent
$796/mo
17.7% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
29.2%
97.2% high school+
Unemployment
6.1%
1.1% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
36.8%
15.0% smoking rate
How Prairie City Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Prairie City's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Prairie City a Good Place to Live?
A
4.1 / 5.0 - Great
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Prairie City residents earn a median household income of $78,269 , which is 4% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $37,265. The unemployment rate stands at 6.1% (69% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 984 business establishments, including 63 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Prairie City is $177,400 , 37% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $273,113. Median rent is $796/month, with 17.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1970.
Education
29.2% of adults in Prairie City hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(13% below the national average).
97.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.8/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
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 totals 36.6 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population1,649
Median Age37.0 yrs
Density1,330/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born0.7%
Veterans7.6%
Economy
A
Median Income$78,269
Per Capita$37,265
Unemployment6.1%
Poverty1.1%
County GDP$1,523M
Avg Weekly Wage$960
Housing
A+
Home Value$177,400
Rent$796
Ownership76.9%
Zillow$273,113
Housing Units704
Rent Burden17.7%
Health
Obesity36.8%
Diabetes8.8%
Smoking15.0%
Heart Disease5.0%
Premature Death7,112/100K
Climate
Avg Temp50°F
Rain36.6 in/yr
Elevation926 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+29.2%
High School+97.2%
Graduate+3.6%
School Score5.8/10
Community
2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute27 min
Broadband87.0%
Internet Speed73 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries8
Did You Know?
Prairie City was founded in 1856.
The median home in Prairie City was built in 1970.
17.8% work from home.
The nearest airport is Des Moines International (25 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.424 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
11.1% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.