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Rock Falls, IA

Iowa

Rock Falls is a small town in Iowa with a population of 125. Residents earn $66,875 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
125 Population 595/sq mi density
$66,875 Median Income $27,442 per capita
$156,300 Home Value
$967 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$66,875 median income, 4.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$156,300 home value, $967/mo rent
B+
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,875
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $156,300
45% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 31.4%
7% lower than US avg
Median Rent $967
17% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.6%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.4%
22% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.2%
10% lower than US avg

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

People

Population125
Median Age39.3 yrs
Density595/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans90.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$66,875
Per Capita$27,442
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty11.2%
County GDP$3,729M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$156,300
Rent$967
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units68
Rent Burden51.0%

Health

Obesity37.6%
Uninsured6.4%
Smoking13.4%
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.3 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,089 ft (332 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+31.4%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+6.7%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 55% / D 43%
Commute18 min
Broadband47.0%
Libraries7

Is Rock Falls a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rock Falls receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Rock Falls stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rock Falls is $66,875, 11% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rock Falls is $156,300, 45% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $967 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

31.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Rock Falls experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Rock Falls has a population of 125 with a density of 595 people per square mile. The median age is 39.3 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

125
Total Population
595
People / sq mi
39.3yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.8%
Female 55.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Rock Falls vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.3%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.7%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rock Falls vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rock Falls is $66,875, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Rock Falls vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,875
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,442
Avg Weekly Wage$1,057
IRS Avg AGI$77,990

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.4%
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.2%
10% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,681
County GDP$3,729M

Business (County)

Restaurants127
Healthcare137
Retail211
Manufacturing53

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,115
75% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.91%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.2 min
Drive Alone83.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Rock Falls is $156,300, 45% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $967 (17% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$156,300
45% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$967
17% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.7%
Housing Units68
Median Year Built1957

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,115
75% above US avg
Effective Rate3.91%
In Rock Falls, 37.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.4% of residents lack health insurance. 13.4% are current smokers. 22.2% report depression. 20.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rock Falls vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.6%
17% above US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure28.0%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.0%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.4%
4% below US avg
Binge Drinking24.1%
Physical Inactivity20.9%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress10.6%
Short Sleep31.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Uninsured6.4%
26% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.6%
Dental Visits70.4%
Premature Death9,468/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access91.8%
Healthcare Facilities137
Rock Falls has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.3 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.6°F
16% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.3 inches
5% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,089 ft (332 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density595/sq mi
Coordinates43.2071°N, 93.0868°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19033
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 31.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (7% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 11.7-point margin. 47.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55%
D 43.4%

Winner: Republican by 11.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+31.4%
7% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+6.7%
School Test Score5.73
B+ Education Grade (3.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density595/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access47.0%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities137
Restaurants127
Retail Stores211

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.2 min
Drive Alone83.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.2%

Nearby Cities

Nora Springs, IA 1,394 pop · 5.9 mi Mason City, IA 27,135 pop · 7.0 mi Manly, IA 1,288 pop · 8.0 mi St. Ansgar, IA 1,156 pop · 14.7 mi Osage, IA 3,578 pop · 14.8 mi Clear Lake, IA 7,603 pop · 15.3 mi Northwood, IA 2,170 pop · 17.6 mi Sheffield, IA 1,204 pop · 22.8 mi Charles City, IA 7,321 pop · 23.0 mi Greene, IA 1,390 pop · 25.8 mi Lake Mills, IA 2,054 pop · 26.7 mi Garner, IA 3,062 pop · 27.1 mi Forest City, IA 4,280 pop · 27.9 mi Austin, MN 26,167 pop · 32.6 mi
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