Rome, IA

Iowa

Rome is a small town in Iowa with a population of 77. Residents earn $29,531 per year, which is 61% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
77 Population 642/sq mi density
$29,531 Median Income $21,066 per capita
$61,300 Home Value
$1,021 Median Rent 46.9% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$29,531 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$61,300 home value, $1,021/mo rent
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
1.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $29,531
61% lower than US avg
Home Value $61,300
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 1.9%
94% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,021
12% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.9%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 27.8%
124% higher than US avg

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

People

Population77
Median Age42.8 yrs
Density642/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 87%
Veterans59.0%

Economy

C+
Median Income$29,531
Per Capita$21,066
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty27.8%
County GDP$1,154M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$61,300
Rent$1,021
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units38
Rent Burden46.9%

Health

Obesity38.9%
Uninsured6.8%
Smoking16.5%
Depression23.5%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.5 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation598 ft (182 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+1.9%
High School+84.9%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 31%
Commute18 min
Broadband43.0%
Libraries5

Is Rome a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rome receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Rome has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rome is $29,531, 61% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 27.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rome is $61,300, 78% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,021 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

1.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Rome experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.5 inches, including 24.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Rome has a population of 77 with a density of 642 people per square mile. The median age is 42.8 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87%), with 13% Hispanic.

Population

77
Total Population
642
People / sq mi
42.8yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
0.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.2%
Female 46.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Rome vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Rome vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rome is $29,531, which is 61% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 27.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Rome vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$29,531
61% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,066
Avg Weekly Wage$1,008
IRS Avg AGI$63,859

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate27.8%
124% above US avg
Establishments (County)638
County GDP$1,154M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare59
Retail57
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,335
24% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.07%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.8 min
Drive Alone82.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Rome is $61,300, 78% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,021 (12% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$61,300
78% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,021
12% below US avg
Rent Burden46.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.8%
Housing Units38
Median Year Built1974

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,335
24% above US avg
Effective Rate7.07%
In Rome, 38.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.8% of residents lack health insurance. 16.5% are current smokers. 23.5% report depression. 24.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.9%
21% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure31.0%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.5%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.5%
18% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.9%
Physical Inactivity24.1%
Depression23.5%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress12.4%
Short Sleep38.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.3%
Uninsured6.8%
21% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.3%
Dental Visits64.9%
Premature Death6,888/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access78.9%
Healthcare Facilities59
Rome has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.5 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) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.7°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.5 inches
1% above US avg
Snowfall24.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation598 ft (182 m)
Area0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
Population Density642/sq mi
Coordinates40.9822°N, 91.6812°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19087
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 1.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (94% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 36-point margin. 43.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.3%
D 31.3%

Winner: Republican by 36 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+1.9%
94% below US avg
High School+84.9%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density642/sq mi
Total Area0.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access43.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities59
Restaurants36
Retail Stores57

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.8 min
Drive Alone82.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Mount Pleasant, IA 9,093 pop · 7.1 mi Wayland, IA 1,140 pop · 11.5 mi Fairfield, IA 9,438 pop · 15.0 mi New London, IA 2,402 pop · 15.2 mi Winfield, IA 1,065 pop · 16.1 mi Washington, IA 7,314 pop · 21.8 mi Keosauqua, IA 1,014 pop · 22.5 mi Columbus Junction, IA 2,129 pop · 26.3 mi Mediapolis, IA 1,930 pop · 27.0 mi West Burlington, IA 3,184 pop · 28.6 mi Wapello, IA 1,935 pop · 29.0 mi Fort Madison, IA 10,221 pop · 30.4 mi Burlington, IA 23,800 pop · 31.5 mi Wellman, IA 1,539 pop · 34.6 mi
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