At a Glance
Median Income
$61,679
$31,605 per capita
Home Value
$207,700
Zillow: $266,121
Median Rent
$763/mo
20.6% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
21.0%
94.3% high school+
Unemployment
3.6%
2.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
38.9%
16.6% smoking rate
How Rock Rapids Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Rock Rapids's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Rock Rapids a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.8 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Rock Rapids residents earn a median household income of $61,679 , which is 18% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $31,605. The unemployment rate stands at 3.6% (0% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 2.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 553 business establishments, including 24 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Rock Rapids is $207,700 , 26% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $266,121. Median rent is $763/month, with 20.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1969.
Education
21.0% of adults in Rock Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(38% below the national average).
94.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Rock Rapids has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C).
Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.3 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population2,653
Median Age42.1 yrs
Density630/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Foreign Born2.8%
Veterans4.7%
Economy
A
Median Income$61,679
Per Capita$31,605
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty2.9%
County GDP$1,425M
Avg Weekly Wage$956
Housing
A+
Home Value$207,700
Rent$763
Ownership75.9%
Zillow$266,121
Housing Units1,133
Rent Burden20.6%
Health
Obesity38.9%
Diabetes9.4%
Smoking16.6%
Heart Disease5.3%
Premature Death4,025/100K
Climate
Avg Temp46°F
Rain29.3 in/yr
Elevation1,336 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+21.0%
High School+94.3%
Graduate+5.2%
School Score6.2/10
Community
2024 VoteR 84% / D 15%
Commute12 min
Broadband87.9%
Internet Speed123 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries6
Did You Know?
Rock Rapids was founded in 1868.
The median home in Rock Rapids was built in 1969.
The nearest airport is Joe Foss Field (31 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.388 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
13.3% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 123 Mbps.
The county recorded 1 fatal vehicle crashes.