Rathbun, IA

Iowa

Rathbun is a small town in Iowa with a population of 36. Residents earn $72,500 per year, which is 4% below the national average.

4.5 /5.0
A+ Excellent
36 Population 171/sq mi density
$72,500 Median Income $35,764 per capita
$55,000 Home Value
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
A+
Overall
4.5 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$72,500 median income, 5.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$55,000 home value
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $72,500
4% lower than US avg
Home Value $55,000
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.6%
56% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.6%
55% lower than US avg

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

People

Population36
Median Age56.3 yrs
Density171/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans36.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$72,500
Per Capita$35,764
Unemployment5.6%
Poverty5.6%
County GDP$518M
Commute67 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$55,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units33

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.6 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation905 ft (276 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+0.0%
High School+91.2%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute67 min
Broadband20.0%
Libraries3

Is Rathbun a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rathbun receives an overall livability score of 4.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, long commute times. Rathbun stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rathbun is $72,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 67 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rathbun is $55,000, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 0.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Rathbun 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 38.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Rathbun has a population of 36 with a density of 171 people per square mile. The median age is 56.3 years, 45% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

36
Total Population
171
People / sq mi
56.3yrs
Median Age
45% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.4%
Female 55.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Rathbun vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Rathbun vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rathbun is $72,500, which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 67 minutes.

Income: Rathbun vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$72,500
4% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,764
Avg Weekly Wage$887
IRS Avg AGI$56,195

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.6%
56% above US avg
Poverty Rate5.6%
55% below US avg
Establishments (County)410
County GDP$518M

Business (County)

Restaurants26
Healthcare30
Retail47
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,592
3% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.53%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time66.9 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Rathbun is $55,000, 80% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$55,000
80% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%
Housing Units33
Median Year Built1945

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,592
3% above US avg
Effective Rate6.53%
Rathbun 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 38.6 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.4°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.6 inches
2% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation905 ft (276 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density171/sq mi
Coordinates40.8018°N, 92.8879°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19007
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (100% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.7-point margin. 20.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.8%
D 26.1%

Winner: Republican by 46.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+0.0%
100% below US avg
High School+91.2%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density171/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access20.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities30
Restaurants26
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute66.9 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Centerville, IA 5,377 pop · 5.0 mi Albia, IA 3,688 pop · 16.1 mi Corydon, IA 1,566 pop · 22.7 mi Unionville, MO 1,725 pop · 23.2 mi Bloomfield, IA 2,723 pop · 24.9 mi Chariton, IA 4,235 pop · 26.6 mi Eddyville, IA 1,085 pop · 28.1 mi Ottumwa, IA 25,352 pop · 28.6 mi Melcher-Dallas, IA 1,228 pop · 34.7 mi Oskaloosa, IA 11,492 pop · 36.2 mi Knoxville, IA 7,493 pop · 37.4 mi Pella, IA 10,624 pop · 41.7 mi Milan, MO 1,883 pop · 43.3 mi Memphis, MO 1,860 pop · 44.5 mi
Compare Rathbun with another city: