Ridgeway, IA

Iowa

Ridgeway is a small town in Iowa with a population of 266. Residents earn $56,500 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
266 Population 350/sq mi density
$56,500 Median Income $35,451 per capita
$136,600 Home Value $323,126 Zillow
$637 Median Rent 15.4% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$56,500 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$136,600 home value, $637/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,500
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $136,600
52% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.1%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $637
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.4%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.4%
73% lower than US avg

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

People

Population266
Median Age29.8 yrs
Density350/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans4.6%

Economy

A
Median Income$56,500
Per Capita$35,451
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty3.4%
County GDP$1,354M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$136,600
Rent$637
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$323,126
Housing Units126
Rent Burden15.4%

Health

Obesity36.4%
Uninsured7.8%
Smoking13.7%
Depression19.6%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.6 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,221 ft (372 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.1%
High School+97.9%
Graduate+3.8%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute24 min
Broadband90.4%
Libraries5

Is Ridgeway a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ridgeway receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Ridgeway offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ridgeway is $56,500, 25% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.4% 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 Ridgeway is $136,600, 52% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $637 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ridgeway experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.6 inches, including 37.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Ridgeway has a population of 266 with a density of 350 people per square mile. The median age is 29.8 years, 23% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.7%).

Population

266
Total Population
350
People / sq mi
29.8yrs
Median Age
23% below US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Ridgeway vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.4%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.6%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ridgeway vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ridgeway is $56,500, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Ridgeway vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,500
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,451
Avg Weekly Wage$989
IRS Avg AGI$79,419

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.4%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)767
County GDP$1,354M

Business (County)

Restaurants60
Healthcare59
Retail96
Manufacturing30

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,702
34% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.44%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.2 min
Drive Alone85.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Ridgeway is $136,600, 52% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $637 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $323,126.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$136,600
52% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$323,126

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$637
45% below US avg
Rent Burden15.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied45.9%
Housing Units126
Median Year Built1968

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,702
34% above US avg
Effective Rate3.44%
In Ridgeway, 36.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.8% of residents lack health insurance. 13.7% are current smokers. 19.6% report depression. 22.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.4%
13% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma9.4%
COPD5.2%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.7%
2% below US avg
Binge Drinking23.5%
Physical Inactivity22.5%
Depression19.6%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress11.1%
Short Sleep30.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.4%
Uninsured7.8%
9% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.0%
Dental Visits67.8%
Premature Death4,480/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access74.3%
Healthcare Facilities59
Ridgeway has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.6 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.5°F
10% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.6 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall37.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,221 ft (372 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density350/sq mi
Coordinates43.2971°N, 91.9924°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19191
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 9.3-point margin. 90.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.9%
D 44.6%

Winner: Republican by 9.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.1%
40% below US avg
High School+97.9%
Graduate Degree+3.8%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density350/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access90.4%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities59
Restaurants60
Retail Stores96

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.2 min
Drive Alone85.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.1%

Nearby Cities

Cresco, IA 3,901 pop · 8.1 mi Decorah, IA 7,597 pop · 10.4 mi Harmony, MN 1,089 pop · 17.8 mi New Hampton, IA 3,462 pop · 23.3 mi West Union, IA 2,393 pop · 25.1 mi Fredericksburg, IA 1,040 pop · 25.2 mi Spring Grove, MN 1,223 pop · 25.5 mi Waukon, IA 3,796 pop · 25.9 mi Postville, IA 2,787 pop · 26.0 mi Preston, MN 1,315 pop · 26.3 mi Sumner, IA 2,159 pop · 31.4 mi Fayette, IA 1,242 pop · 32.9 mi Spring Valley, MN 2,357 pop · 33.6 mi Caledonia, MN 2,825 pop · 33.9 mi
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