Runnells, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Runnells is a small town in Iowa with a population of 397. Residents earn $98,125 per year, which is 31% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
397 Population 684/sq mi density
$98,125 Median Income $37,614 per capita
$196,900 Home Value $415,732 Zillow
$725 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$98,125 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$196,900 home value, $725/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $98,125
31% higher than US avg
Home Value $196,900
30% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.6%
39% lower than US avg
Median Rent $725
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.4%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.8%
85% lower than US avg

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

People

Population397
Median Age39.5 yrs
Density684/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

A+
Median Income$98,125
Per Capita$37,614
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty1.8%
County GDP$63,823M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$196,900
Rent$725
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$415,732
Rent Burden27.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.9%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.6 in/yr
Elevation839 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.6%
High School+94.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 55%
Commute29 min
Libraries19

Is Runnells a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Runnells receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Runnells stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Runnells is $98,125, which is significantly higher than the national average — 31% above $75,149. This places Runnells among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Runnells is $196,900, 30% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $725 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

20.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Runnells experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Runnells has a population of 397 with a density of 684 people per square mile. The median age is 39.5 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.5%), with 1.8% Hispanic.

Population

397
Total Population
684
People / sq mi
39.5yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.4%
Female 45.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Runnells vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Runnells vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Runnells is $98,125, which is 31% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Runnells vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$98,125
31% above US avg
Per Capita Income$37,614
Avg Weekly Wage$1,395
IRS Avg AGI$93,610

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate1.8%
85% below US avg
Establishments (County)20,581
County GDP$63,823M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,227
Healthcare1,513
Retail1,606
Manufacturing341

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,943
98% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.53%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.3 min
Work from Home8.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Runnells is $196,900, 30% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $725 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $415,732.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$196,900
30% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$415,732

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$725
38% below US avg
Rent Burden27.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,943
98% above US avg
Effective Rate3.53%
In Runnells, 36.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.9% report depression. 21.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.4%
13% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma9.9%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.4%
Physical Inactivity21.9%
Depression22.9%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.4%
Checkup Rate73.7%
Premature Death7,653/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access90.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,513

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Runnells has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.6 inches
4% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation839 ft (256 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density684/sq mi
Coordinates41.5140°N, 93.3601°W
County FIPS19153
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 20.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.9%
D 54.8%

Winner: Democrat by 10.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.6%
39% below US avg
High School+94.1%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density684/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries19
Healthcare Facilities1,513
Restaurants1,227
Retail Stores1,606

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.3 min
Work from Home8.3%

Nearby Cities

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