Iowa
Spirit Lake is a small city in Iowa with a population of 5,469. Residents earn $73,627 per year, which is 2% below the national average.
Based on current data, Spirit Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Spirit Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Spirit Lake is $73,627, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. Only 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Spirit Lake is $218,400, 23% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $885 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Spirit Lake is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 121 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,111 per 100,000, near the national average.
32.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.
Spirit Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.1 inches, including 41.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
| English Only | 96.6% |
| 23% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 3.4% |
| 75% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $73,627 |
| 2% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $41,566 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $897 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $99,626 |
| Unemployment | 1.5% |
| 58% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 2.5% |
| 80% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 958 |
| County GDP | $1,529M |
| Restaurants | 107 |
| Healthcare | 59 |
| Retail | 107 |
| Manufacturing | 39 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $7,645 |
| 118% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.50% |
| Commute Time | 13.5 min |
| Work from Home | 10.2% |
| Census Median | $218,400 |
| 23% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $321,161 |
| Median List Price | $412,000 |
| Median List Price | $412,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $159 |
| Homes Sold | 4 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 91.8% |
| Price Drops | 0.0% |
| Inventory | 24 |
| Census Median Rent | $885 |
| 24% below US avg |
| Studio | $738 |
| 1 Bedroom | $788 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $989 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,282 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
| Owner-Occupied | 66.2% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $7,645 |
| 118% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 3.50% |
| Obesity | 39.1% |
| 22% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 9.2% |
| Heart Disease | 5.4% |
| High Blood Pressure | 30.5% |
| Asthma | 10.3% |
| COPD | 6.2% |
| Stroke | 2.8% |
| Binge Drinking | 21.8% |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.5% |
| Depression | 21.5% |
| Mental Distress | 17.5% |
| Physical Distress | 11.8% |
| Insurance Rate | 98.8% |
| Checkup Rate | 74.7% |
| Premature Death | 4,872/100K |
| Food Environment | 9.2/10 |
| Exercise Access | 79.7% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 59 |
| Total Violent | 120.6/100K |
| 68% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 40.2/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 80.4/100K |
| Total Property | 2,111.0/100K |
| 8% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 422.2/100K |
| Theft | 1,608.4/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 80.4/100K |
| Arson | 20.1/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 1 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 45.7°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 29.1 inches |
| 24% below US avg | |
| Snowfall | 41.5 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 1,461 ft (445 m) |
| Area | 4.5 sq mi (11.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,210/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.4167°N, 95.1131°W |
| County FIPS | 19059 |
Winner: Republican by 40 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% |
| 5% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 97.2% |
| School Test Score | 5.73 |
| RUCC Code 7 | Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K |
| Population Density | 1,210/sq mi |
| Total Area | 4.5 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 3 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 5 |
| Public Libraries | 5 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 59 |
| Restaurants | 107 |
| Retail Stores | 107 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 1 |
| Avg Commute | 13.5 min |
| Work from Home | 10.2% |