Rowley, IA

Iowa

Rowley is a small town in Iowa with a population of 354. Residents earn $60,417 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
354 Population 908/sq mi density
$60,417 Median Income $32,003 per capita
$135,200 Home Value $251,154 Zillow
$1,016 Median Rent 22.9% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$60,417 median income, 5.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$135,200 home value, $1,016/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,417
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $135,200
52% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.5%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,016
13% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.3%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.9%
64% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.6%
15% lower than US avg

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

People

Population354
Median Age41.8 yrs
Density908/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans9.5%

Economy

B
Median Income$60,417
Per Capita$32,003
Unemployment5.9%
Poverty10.6%
County GDP$1,087M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$135,200
Rent$1,016
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$251,154
Housing Units130
Rent Burden22.9%

Health

Obesity37.3%
Uninsured6.3%
Smoking15.6%
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.2 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation985 ft (300 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.5%
High School+96.0%
Graduate+3.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute26 min
Broadband77.8%
Libraries6

Is Rowley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rowley receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Rowley offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rowley is $60,417, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.9% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 10.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rowley is $135,200, 52% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,016 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Rowley experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 18°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 39.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Rowley has a population of 354 with a density of 908 people per square mile. The median age is 41.8 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.9%).

Population

354
Total Population
908
People / sq mi
41.8yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.4%
Female 48.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Rowley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Rowley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rowley is $60,417, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Rowley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,417
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,003
Avg Weekly Wage$962
IRS Avg AGI$76,868

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.9%
64% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.6%
15% below US avg
Establishments (County)638
County GDP$1,087M

Business (County)

Restaurants37
Healthcare44
Retail72
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,750
7% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.77%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.7 min
Drive Alone75.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home13.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Rowley is $135,200, 52% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,016 (13% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $251,154.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$135,200
52% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$251,154

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,016
13% below US avg
Rent Burden22.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.9%
Housing Units130
Median Year Built1960

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,750
7% above US avg
Effective Rate2.77%
In Rowley, 37.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.3% of residents lack health insurance. 15.6% are current smokers. 21.8% report depression. 22.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.3%
16% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma10.2%
COPD5.8%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.6%
11% above US avg
Binge Drinking24.1%
Physical Inactivity22.1%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress11.6%
Short Sleep35.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.0%
Uninsured6.3%
27% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.2%
Dental Visits67.4%
Premature Death5,284/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access67.1%
Healthcare Facilities44
Rowley has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.2 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.2 inches
3% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation985 ft (300 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density908/sq mi
Coordinates42.3685°N, 91.8443°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19019
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 28.2-point margin. 77.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.4%
D 35.2%

Winner: Republican by 28.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.5%
42% below US avg
High School+96.0%
Graduate Degree+3.1%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density908/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access77.8%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities44
Restaurants37
Retail Stores72

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.7 min
Drive Alone75.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home13.2%

Nearby Cities

Independence, IA 6,149 pop · 7.1 mi Winthrop, IA 1,081 pop · 8.9 mi Urbana, IA 1,628 pop · 9.8 mi Center Point, IA 2,575 pop · 13.1 mi Jesup, IA 2,596 pop · 13.5 mi Vinton, IA 4,948 pop · 17.0 mi La Porte City, IA 2,170 pop · 18.1 mi Central City, IA 1,266 pop · 20.1 mi Palo, IA 1,173 pop · 21.2 mi Oelwein, IA 5,878 pop · 21.2 mi Manchester, IA 5,144 pop · 21.4 mi Fairbank, IA 1,509 pop · 21.4 mi Robins, IA 3,349 pop · 21.8 mi Evansdale, IA 4,530 pop · 22.7 mi
Compare Rowley with another city: