Sanborn, IA

Iowa

Sanborn is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,510. Residents earn $56,477 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
1,510 Population 803/sq mi density
$56,477 Median Income $32,021 per capita
$150,900 Home Value $195,025 Zillow
$881 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$56,477 median income, 0.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$150,900 home value, $881/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
23.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,477
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $150,900
46% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.0%
32% lower than US avg
Median Rent $881
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.8%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.6%
34% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,510
Median Age41.3 yrs
Density803/mi²
Male / Female48% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

B+
Median Income$56,477
Per Capita$32,021
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty16.6%
County GDP$1,250M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$150,900
Rent$881
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$195,025

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain32.1 in/yr
Elevation1,554 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.0%
High School+95.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 19%
Commute18 min
Libraries7

Is Sanborn a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sanborn receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Sanborn offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sanborn is $56,477, 25% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. The poverty rate of 16.6% 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 Sanborn is $150,900, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $881 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

23.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Sanborn has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.1 inches, including 41.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Sanborn has a population of 1,510 with a density of 803 people per square mile. The median age is 41.3 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.9%), with 1.5% Black.

Population

1,510
Total Population
803
People / sq mi
41.3yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.5%
Female 52.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Sanborn vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sanborn vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sanborn is $56,477, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Sanborn vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,477
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,021
Avg Weekly Wage$931
IRS Avg AGI$80,168

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.6%
34% above US avg
Establishments (County)626
County GDP$1,250M

Business (County)

Restaurants28
Healthcare44
Retail79
Manufacturing23

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,914
12% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.59%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.4 min
Work from Home5.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Sanborn is $150,900, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $881 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $195,025.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$150,900
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$195,025

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$881
24% 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-Occupied75.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,914
12% above US avg
Effective Rate2.59%
In Sanborn, 39.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 26.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.8%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure31.7%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.6%
Physical Inactivity26.3%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress13.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.1%
Checkup Rate74.9%
Premature Death8,489/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access87.3%
Healthcare Facilities44

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Sanborn has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.3°F
16% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.1 inches
16% below US avg
Snowfall41.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,554 ft (474 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density803/sq mi
Coordinates43.1814°N, 95.6553°W
County FIPS19141
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 23.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 80%
D 19%

Winner: Republican by 60.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.0%
32% below US avg
High School+95.3%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density803/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities44
Restaurants28
Retail Stores79

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.4 min
Work from Home5.4%

Nearby Cities

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