Rolfe, IA

Iowa

Rolfe is a small town in Iowa with a population of 618. Residents earn $54,861 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
618 Population 589/sq mi density
$54,861 Median Income $23,560 per capita
$46,000 Home Value $72,615 Zillow
$563 Median Rent 18.3% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$54,861 median income, 11.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$46,000 home value, $563/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,861
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $46,000
84% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.1%
73% lower than US avg
Median Rent $563
52% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.6%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 11.3%
214% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.6%
79% lower than US avg

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

People

Population618
Median Age43.0 yrs
Density589/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

C+
Median Income$54,861
Per Capita$23,560
Unemployment11.3%
Poverty2.6%
County GDP$642M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$46,000
Rent$563
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$72,615
Rent Burden18.3%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain32.8 in/yr
Elevation1,179 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.1%
High School+83.7%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute18 min
Libraries9

Is Rolfe a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rolfe receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Rolfe offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rolfe is $54,861, 27% below the national average of $75,149. At 11.3%, unemployment is notably high. Only 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate 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 Rolfe is $46,000, 84% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $563 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Rolfe experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.8 inches, including 38.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Rolfe has a population of 618 with a density of 589 people per square mile. The median age is 43.0 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94%), with 3.1% Hispanic.

Population

618
Total Population
589
People / sq mi
43.0yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 59.2%
Female 40.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Rolfe vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.6%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rolfe vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rolfe is $54,861, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 11.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Rolfe vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,861
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,560
Avg Weekly Wage$1,015
IRS Avg AGI$71,570

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment11.3%
214% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.6%
79% below US avg
Establishments (County)265
County GDP$642M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare17
Retail26
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.20%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.2 min
Work from Home8.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Rolfe is $46,000, 84% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $563 (52% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $72,615.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$46,000
84% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$72,615

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$563
52% below US avg
Rent Burden18.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Rate6.20%
In Rolfe, 36.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 25.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.6%
14% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure30.7%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.5%
Physical Inactivity25.9%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.6%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death9,324/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access73.0%
Healthcare Facilities17

Crime Rates: Rolfe vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Rolfe has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.8 inches
14% below US avg
Snowfall38.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,179 ft (359 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density589/sq mi
Coordinates42.8132°N, 94.5319°W
County FIPS19151
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 9.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (73% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.3%
D 22.3%

Winner: Republican by 54 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.1%
73% below US avg
High School+83.7%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density589/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities17
Restaurants12
Retail Stores26

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.2 min
Work from Home8.4%

Nearby Cities

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