Shenandoah, IA

Iowa

Shenandoah is a small town in Iowa with a population of 4,913. Residents earn $52,469 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
4,913 Population 1,314/sq mi density
$52,469 Median Income $33,211 per capita
$110,000 Home Value $136,240 Zillow
$762 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
20 Violent Crime/100K 931 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$52,469 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$110,000 home value, $762/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
20 violent crimes/100K (95% below avg)
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,469
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $110,000
61% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 20/100K
95% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.2%
46% lower than US avg
Median Rent $762
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.2%
38% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.8%
3% higher than US avg

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

People

Population4,913
Median Age44.1 yrs
Density1,314/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

B
Median Income$52,469
Per Capita$33,211
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty12.8%
County GDP$394M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$110,000
Rent$762
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$136,240

Crime

F
Violent20/100K
Property931/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault20/100K
Burglary99/100K

Health

Obesity44.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.4 in/yr
Elevation1,003 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.2%
High School+93.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 27%
Commute17 min
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is Shenandoah a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shenandoah receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Shenandoah offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Shenandoah is $52,469, 30% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shenandoah is $110,000, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $762 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Shenandoah is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 20 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 931 per 100,000, 53% below the national average.

Education

18.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Shenandoah experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.4 inches, including 26.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Shenandoah has a population of 4,913 with a density of 1,314 people per square mile. The median age is 44.1 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.5%), with 1.8% Hispanic.

Population

4,913
Total Population
1,314
People / sq mi
44.1yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
3.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Shenandoah vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.1%
22% above US avg
Spanish3.9%
71% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Shenandoah vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shenandoah is $52,469, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Shenandoah vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,469
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,211
Avg Weekly Wage$927
IRS Avg AGI$72,410

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.8%
3% above US avg
Establishments (County)285
County GDP$394M

Business (County)

Restaurants14
Healthcare13
Retail30
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,425
2% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.11%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.5 min
Work from Home0.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Shenandoah is $110,000, 61% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $762 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $136,240.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$110,000
61% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$136,240

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$762
34% 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-Occupied58.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,425
2% below US avg
Effective Rate3.11%
In Shenandoah, 44.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.7% report depression. 29.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.2%
38% above US avg
Diabetes11.4%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure34.9%
Asthma10.7%
COPD8.2%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity29.5%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.0%
Checkup Rate75.0%
Premature Death9,007/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access28.9%
Healthcare Facilities13
Shenandoah has a violent crime rate of 20 per 100,000 residents, 95% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 931 per 100,000 (53% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent19.8/100K
95% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault19.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property930.5/100K
53% below US avg
Burglary99.0/100K
Theft772.1/100K
Vehicle Theft59.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Shenandoah has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average51.8°F
4% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.4 inches
4% below US avg
Snowfall26.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,003 ft (306 m)
Area3.7 sq mi (9.7 km²)
Population Density1,314/sq mi
Coordinates40.7582°N, 95.3721°W
County FIPS19071
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 18.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (46% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 44.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.6%
D 27%

Winner: Republican by 44.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.2%
46% below US avg
High School+93.3%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,314/sq mi
Total Area3.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities13
Restaurants14
Retail Stores30

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.5 min
Work from Home0.4%

Nearby Cities

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