State Center, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

State Center is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,548. Residents earn $72,303 per year, which is 4% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
1,548 Population 1,548/sq mi density
$72,303 Median Income $35,585 per capita
$156,300 Home Value $293,095 Zillow
$741 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
270 Violent Crime/100K 540 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$72,303 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$156,300 home value, $741/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
270 violent crimes/100K (29% below avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $72,303
4% lower than US avg
Home Value $156,300
45% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 270/100K
29% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.4%
22% lower than US avg
Median Rent $741
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.1%
34% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.7%
30% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,548
Median Age35.0 yrs
Density1,548/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

A
Median Income$72,303
Per Capita$35,585
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty8.7%
County GDP$7,790M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$156,300
Rent$741
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$293,095

Crime

F
Violent270/100K
Property540/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault270/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

Obesity43.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.5 in/yr
Elevation1,069 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.4%
High School+92.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 54%
Commute28 min
Libraries13

Is State Center a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, State Center receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. State Center offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in State Center is $72,303, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in State Center is $156,300, 45% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $741 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in State Center is below the national average at 270 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 540 per 100,000, 72% below the national average.

Education

26.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

State Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.5 inches, including 30.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

State Center has a population of 1,548 with a density of 1,548 people per square mile. The median age is 35.0 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.7%).

Population

1,548
Total Population
1,548
People / sq mi
35.0yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

State Center vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.3%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.7%
50% below US avg

Social Characteristics

State Center vs U.S. Average

The median household income in State Center is $72,303, which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: State Center vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$72,303
4% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,585
Avg Weekly Wage$1,204
IRS Avg AGI$86,259

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.7%
30% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,066
County GDP$7,790M

Business (County)

Restaurants268
Healthcare229
Retail275
Manufacturing76

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,724
64% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.66%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.4 min
Work from Home16.4%

Walkability

The median home value in State Center is $156,300, 45% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $741 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $293,095.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$156,300
45% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$293,095
Median List Price$184,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$184,900
$/Sq Ft$291
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio87.5%
Price Drops50.0%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$741
36% 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-Occupied73.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,724
64% above US avg
Effective Rate3.66%
In State Center, 43.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.4% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: State Center vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.1%
34% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.6%
Asthma10.1%
COPD6.0%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.3%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.8%
Checkup Rate77.0%
Premature Death4,947/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access92.9%
Healthcare Facilities229
State Center has a violent crime rate of 270 per 100,000 residents, 29% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 540 per 100,000 (72% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent270.1/100K
29% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault270.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property540.2/100K
72% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft540.2/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
State Center has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.8°F
11% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.5 inches
4% below US avg
Snowfall30.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,069 ft (326 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density1,548/sq mi
Coordinates42.0148°N, 93.1653°W
County FIPS19169
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 26.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44%
D 54.4%

Winner: Democrat by 10.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.4%
22% below US avg
High School+92.2%
School Test Score5.73
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,548/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities229
Restaurants268
Retail Stores275

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.4 min
Work from Home16.4%

Nearby Cities

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