Princeton, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Princeton is a small town in Iowa with a population of 875. Residents earn $80,714 per year, which is 7% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
875 Population 268/sq mi density
$80,714 Median Income $40,424 per capita
$257,000 Home Value $320,274 Zillow
$857 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$80,714 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$257,000 home value, $857/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $80,714
7% higher than US avg
Home Value $257,000
9% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.3%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $857
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.0%
60% lower than US avg

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

People

Population875
Median Age47.5 yrs
Density268/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A+
Median Income$80,714
Per Capita$40,424
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty5.0%
County GDP$13,291M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$257,000
Rent$857
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$320,274

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.1 in/yr
Elevation700 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.3%
High School+94.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 51% / D 47%
Commute24 min
Libraries11

Is Princeton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Princeton receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Princeton stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Princeton is $80,714, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Princeton is $257,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $857 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

20.3% 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

Princeton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Princeton has a population of 875 with a density of 268 people per square mile. The median age is 47.5 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.5%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

875
Total Population
268
People / sq mi
47.5yrs
Median Age
22% above US avg
3.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.6%
Female 51.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Princeton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.3%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.7%
95% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Princeton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Princeton is $80,714, which is 7% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Princeton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$80,714
7% above US avg
Per Capita Income$40,424
Avg Weekly Wage$1,176
IRS Avg AGI$86,464

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.0%
60% below US avg
Establishments (County)6,239
County GDP$13,291M

Business (County)

Restaurants496
Healthcare523
Retail618
Manufacturing172

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,638
90% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.3 min
Work from Home6.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Princeton is $257,000, 9% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $857 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $320,274.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$257,000
9% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$320,274

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$857
26% 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-Occupied79.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,638
90% above US avg
Effective Rate2.58%
In Princeton, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.2% report depression. 21.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure28.2%
Asthma10.6%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.9%
Physical Inactivity21.5%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress11.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Checkup Rate76.0%
Premature Death7,236/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access90.5%
Healthcare Facilities523

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Princeton has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.6°F
6% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.1 inches
2% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation700 ft (213 m)
Area3.3 sq mi (8.4 km²)
Population Density268/sq mi
Coordinates41.6695°N, 90.3576°W
County FIPS19163
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 20.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 3.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 51.2%
D 47.3%

Winner: Republican by 3.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.3%
40% below US avg
High School+94.9%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density268/sq mi
Total Area3.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities523
Restaurants496
Retail Stores618

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.3 min
Work from Home6.1%

Nearby Cities

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