Solon, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Solon is a small town in Iowa with a population of 3,092. Residents earn $111,597 per year, which is 49% above the national average.

4.8 /5.0
A+ Excellent
3,092 Population 1,933/sq mi density
$111,597 Median Income $42,369 per capita
$305,300 Home Value $437,716 Zillow
$1,166 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.8 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$111,597 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$305,300 home value, $1,166/mo rent
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
41.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $111,597
49% higher than US avg
Home Value $305,300
8% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 41.3%
23% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,166
0% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.6%
8% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.6%
87% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,092
Median Age39.4 yrs
Density1,933/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A+
Median Income$111,597
Per Capita$42,369
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty1.6%
County GDP$12,640M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$305,300
Rent$1,166
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$437,716

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity29.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.0%
Heart Disease4.3%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.5 in/yr
Elevation767 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+41.3%
High School+95.8%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 30% / D 68%
Commute21 min
EV Stations1
Libraries8

Is Solon a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Solon receives an overall livability score of 4.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Solon stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Solon is $111,597, which is significantly higher than the national average — 49% above $75,149. This places Solon among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. Only 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Solon is $305,300, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,166 per month. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 41.3% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Solon experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Solon has a population of 3,092 with a density of 1,933 people per square mile. The median age is 39.4 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.2%).

Population

3,092
Total Population
1,933
People / sq mi
39.4yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.1%
Female 57.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Solon vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.2%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.8%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Solon vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Solon is $111,597, which is 49% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Solon vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$111,597
49% above US avg
Per Capita Income$42,369
Avg Weekly Wage$1,238
IRS Avg AGI$93,456

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.6%
87% below US avg
Establishments (County)5,140
County GDP$12,640M

Business (County)

Restaurants448
Healthcare493
Retail492
Manufacturing80

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,982
99% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.29%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.1 min
Work from Home10.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Solon is $305,300, 8% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,166 (0% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $437,716.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$305,300
8% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$437,716
Median List Price$279,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$279,900
$/Sq Ft$174
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio99.4%
Price Drops2.5%
Inventory40

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,166
0% 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-Occupied80.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,982
99% above US avg
Effective Rate2.29%
In Solon, 29.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.0% report depression. 15.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.6%
8% below US avg
Diabetes7.4%
Heart Disease4.3%
High Blood Pressure26.9%
Asthma9.6%
COPD4.4%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking25.1%
Physical Inactivity15.2%
Depression21.0%
Mental Distress15.2%
Physical Distress9.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.3%
Checkup Rate76.7%
Premature Death4,821/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access89.7%
Healthcare Facilities493

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Solon has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.3°F
9% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.5 inches
4% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation767 ft (234 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density1,933/sq mi
Coordinates41.8068°N, 91.4989°W
County FIPS19103
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 41.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 38.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 30.3%
D 68.4%

Winner: Democrat by 38.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+41.3%
23% above US avg
High School+95.8%
School Test Score5.73
A Education Grade (4.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,933/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities493
Restaurants448
Retail Stores492

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.1 min
Work from Home10.8%

Nearby Cities

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