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Sheldahl, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Sheldahl is a small town in Iowa with a population of 348. Residents earn $67,500 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
348 Population 430/sq mi density
$67,500 Median Income $27,815 per capita
$175,000 Home Value $216,785 Zillow
$1,200 Median Rent 37.5% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$67,500 median income, 9.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$175,000 home value, $1,200/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,500
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $175,000
38% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.0%
29% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,200
3% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.7%
5% higher than US avg
Unemployment 9.8%
172% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.4%
8% lower than US avg

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

People

Population348
Median Age37.1 yrs
Density430/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans4.9%

Economy

C+
Median Income$67,500
Per Capita$27,815
Unemployment9.8%
Poverty11.4%
County GDP$63,823M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$175,000
Rent$1,200
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$216,785
Housing Units162
Rent Burden37.5%

Health

Obesity33.7%
Uninsured5.2%
Smoking11.5%
Depression21.2%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.2 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,032 ft (315 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.0%
High School+90.6%
Graduate+3.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 55%
Commute30 min
Broadband83.3%
Libraries19

Is Sheldahl a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sheldahl receives an overall livability score of 3.6 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. Sheldahl offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sheldahl is $67,500, 10% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.8%, unemployment is notably high. 11.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sheldahl is $175,000, 38% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,200 per month. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Sheldahl experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.2 inches, including 38.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Sheldahl has a population of 348 with a density of 430 people per square mile. The median age is 37.1 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.9%).

Population

348
Total Population
430
People / sq mi
37.1yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.7%
Female 44.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Sheldahl vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sheldahl vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sheldahl is $67,500, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Sheldahl vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,500
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,815
Avg Weekly Wage$1,395
IRS Avg AGI$93,610

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.8%
172% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.4%
8% 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 Rate3.97%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.8 min
Drive Alone82.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Sheldahl is $175,000, 38% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,200 (3% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $216,785.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$175,000
38% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$216,785
Median List Price$225,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$225,000
$/Sq Ft$314
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio97.8%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,200
3% above US avg
Rent Burden37.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied90.5%
Housing Units162
Median Year Built1971

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,943
98% above US avg
Effective Rate3.97%
In Sheldahl, 33.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 5.2% of residents lack health insurance. 11.5% are current smokers. 21.2% report depression. 18.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.7%
5% above US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure27.9%
Asthma9.6%
COPD4.4%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking11.5%
18% below US avg
Binge Drinking24.3%
Physical Inactivity18.1%
Depression21.2%
Mental Distress15.9%
Physical Distress10.2%
Short Sleep30.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.1%
Uninsured5.2%
40% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.1%
Dental Visits72.8%
Premature Death7,653/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access90.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,513
Sheldahl 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 36.2 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) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.3°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.2 inches
5% below US avg
Snowfall38.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,032 ft (315 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density430/sq mi
Coordinates41.8645°N, 93.6968°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19153
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 24.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.9-point margin. 83.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.9%
D 54.8%

Winner: Democrat by 10.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.0%
29% below US avg
High School+90.6%
Graduate Degree+3.2%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density430/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.3%
Public Libraries19
Healthcare Facilities1,513
Restaurants1,227
Retail Stores1,606

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.8 min
Drive Alone82.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.9%

Nearby Cities

Slater, IA 1,498 pop · 1.2 mi Huxley, IA 4,440 pop · 5.8 mi Polk City, IA 5,833 pop · 5.9 mi Madrid, IA 2,803 pop · 6.4 mi Granger, IA 1,919 pop · 9.7 mi Ankeny, IA 70,542 pop · 10.5 mi Woodward, IA 1,002 pop · 11.6 mi Ames, IA 66,112 pop · 11.8 mi Johnston, IA 24,196 pop · 12.0 mi Saylorville, IA 3,559 pop · 13.2 mi Grimes, IA 15,810 pop · 14.0 mi Boone, IA 12,445 pop · 15.6 mi Nevada, IA 6,952 pop · 15.7 mi Urbandale, IA 46,026 pop · 16.3 mi
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