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Promise City, IA

Iowa

Promise City is a small town in Iowa with a population of 86. Residents earn $41,406 per year, which is 45% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
86 Population 478/sq mi density
$41,406 Median Income $27,769 per capita
$52,800 Home Value $207,635 Zillow
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$41,406 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$52,800 home value
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,406
45% lower than US avg
Home Value $52,800
81% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.5%
78% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.9%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.4%
40% higher than US avg

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

People

Population86
Median Age54.5 yrs
Density478/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans67.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$41,406
Per Capita$27,769
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty17.4%
County GDP$316M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$52,800
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$207,635
Housing Units47
Rent Burden24.6%

Health

Obesity40.9%
Uninsured7.7%
Smoking18.2%
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.4 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,054 ft (321 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.5%
High School+86.6%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 21%
Commute31 min
Broadband43.0%
Libraries4

Is Promise City a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Promise City is $41,406, 45% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 17.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Promise City is $52,800, 81% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

7.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Promise City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 40.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Promise City has a population of 86 with a density of 478 people per square mile. The median age is 54.5 years, 40% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.8%), with 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

86
Total Population
478
People / sq mi
54.5yrs
Median Age
40% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.3%
Female 54.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Promise City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Promise City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Promise City is $41,406, which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Promise City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,406
45% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,769
Avg Weekly Wage$968
IRS Avg AGI$57,510

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.4%
40% above US avg
Establishments (County)185
County GDP$316M

Business (County)

Restaurants8
Healthcare11
Retail22
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,250
7% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.16%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.8 min
Drive Alone96.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Promise City is $52,800, 81% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $207,635.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$52,800
81% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$207,635

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden24.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.0%
Housing Units47
Median Year Built1947

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,250
7% below US avg
Effective Rate6.16%
In Promise City, 40.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.7% of residents lack health insurance. 18.2% are current smokers. 21.4% report depression. 25.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.9%
27% above US avg
Diabetes9.9%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure32.2%
Asthma9.8%
COPD6.9%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.2%
30% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity25.8%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.8%
Short Sleep33.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured7.7%
10% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.1%
Dental Visits60.5%
Premature Death8,502/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access35.8%
Healthcare Facilities11
Promise City has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.4 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.4 inches
6% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,054 ft (321 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density478/sq mi
Coordinates40.7476°N, 93.1483°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19185
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 7.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (78% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 57.2-point margin. 43.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.8%
D 20.6%

Winner: Republican by 57.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.5%
78% below US avg
High School+86.6%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density478/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access43.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants8
Retail Stores22

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.8 min
Drive Alone96.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Corydon, IA 1,566 pop · 8.9 mi Centerville, IA 5,377 pop · 14.5 mi Unionville, MO 1,725 pop · 20.2 mi Chariton, IA 4,235 pop · 20.5 mi Albia, IA 3,688 pop · 26.4 mi Leon, IA 1,795 pop · 31.8 mi Princeton, MO 1,434 pop · 33.0 mi Melcher-Dallas, IA 1,228 pop · 33.5 mi Milan, MO 1,883 pop · 37.7 mi Bloomfield, IA 2,723 pop · 38.3 mi Osceola, IA 5,495 pop · 38.6 mi Eddyville, IA 1,085 pop · 39.2 mi Knoxville, IA 7,493 pop · 39.5 mi Lamoni, IA 2,121 pop · 41.9 mi
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