Russell, IA

Iowa

Russell is a small town in Iowa with a population of 551. Residents earn $50,750 per year, which is 32% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
551 Population 535/sq mi density
$50,750 Median Income $28,502 per capita
$60,400 Home Value $161,204 Zillow
$775 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$50,750 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$60,400 home value, $775/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,750
32% lower than US avg
Home Value $60,400
79% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.1%
85% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.8%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.7%
62% lower than US avg

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

People

Population551
Median Age56.8 yrs
Density535/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

A
Median Income$50,750
Per Capita$28,502
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty4.7%
County GDP$316M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$60,400
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$161,204

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.9%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.4 in/yr
Elevation1,021 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.1%
High School+83.7%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 21%
Commute24 min
Libraries4

Is Russell a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Russell receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Russell offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Russell is $50,750, 32% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Russell is $60,400, 79% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.1% 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

Russell experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Russell has a population of 551 with a density of 535 people per square mile. The median age is 56.8 years, 46% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.2%), with 1.5% Hispanic.

Population

551
Total Population
535
People / sq mi
56.8yrs
Median Age
46% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.4%
Female 43.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Russell vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.6%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.4%
97% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Russell vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Russell is $50,750, which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Russell vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,750
32% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,502
Avg Weekly Wage$968
IRS Avg AGI$57,510

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.7%
62% below US avg
Establishments (County)185
County GDP$316M

Business (County)

Restaurants8
Healthcare11
Retail22
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,250
7% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.38%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Work from Home7.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Russell is $60,400, 79% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $161,204.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$60,400
79% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$161,204

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied90.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,250
7% below US avg
Effective Rate5.38%
In Russell, 39.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.9% report depression. 26.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.8%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.4%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure32.1%
Asthma11.0%
COPD7.6%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.8%
Physical Inactivity26.3%
Depression23.9%
Mental Distress19.7%
Physical Distress13.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.4%
Checkup Rate75.3%
Premature Death8,502/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access35.8%
Healthcare Facilities11

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Russell has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.4 inches
6% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,021 ft (311 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density535/sq mi
Coordinates40.9804°N, 93.2011°W
County FIPS19185
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 5.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 57.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.8%
D 20.6%

Winner: Republican by 57.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.1%
85% below US avg
High School+83.7%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density535/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants8
Retail Stores22

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Work from Home7.3%

Nearby Cities

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