Stratford, IA

Iowa

Stratford is a small town in Iowa with a population of 696. Residents earn $40,833 per year, which is 46% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
696 Population 382/sq mi density
$40,833 Median Income $27,656 per capita
$81,100 Home Value $187,333 Zillow
$580 Median Rent 40.0% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$40,833 median income, 0.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$81,100 home value, $580/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,833
46% lower than US avg
Home Value $81,100
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.9%
71% lower than US avg
Median Rent $580
50% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.4%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.9%
77% lower than US avg

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

People

Population696
Median Age59.3 yrs
Density382/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 90%
Veterans6.8%

Economy

B+
Median Income$40,833
Per Capita$27,656
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty2.9%
County GDP$1,116M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$81,100
Rent$580
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$187,333
Rent Burden40.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.0%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.2 in/yr
Elevation1,114 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.9%
High School+95.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute27 min
Broadband74.9%
Libraries6

Is Stratford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Stratford receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Stratford offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Stratford is $40,833, 46% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. Only 2.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Stratford is $81,100, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $580 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Stratford experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches, including 32.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Stratford has a population of 696 with a density of 382 people per square mile. The median age is 59.3 years, 52% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.2%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 4.3% Black.

Population

696
Total Population
382
People / sq mi
59.3yrs
Median Age
52% above US avg
1.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43%
Female 57%

Race & Ethnicity

Stratford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Stratford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Stratford is $40,833, which is 46% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Stratford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,833
46% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,656
Avg Weekly Wage$1,018
IRS Avg AGI$75,752

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.9%
77% below US avg
Establishments (County)487
County GDP$1,116M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare28
Retail47
Manufacturing22

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,538
30% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.60%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.5 min
Drive Alone81.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Stratford is $81,100, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $580 (50% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $187,333.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$81,100
71% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$187,333

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$580
50% below US avg
Rent Burden40.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,538
30% above US avg
Effective Rate5.60%
In Stratford, 37.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.0% report depression. 24.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.4%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.9%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.3%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.7%
Physical Inactivity24.2%
Depression22.0%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.4%
Checkup Rate75.8%
Premature Death7,954/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access74.5%
Healthcare Facilities28

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Stratford has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.1°F
15% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.2 inches
2% below US avg
Snowfall32.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,114 ft (340 m)
Area1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²)
Population Density382/sq mi
Coordinates42.2696°N, 93.9274°W
County FIPS19079
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 9.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (71% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.3-point margin. 74.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.1%
D 32.8%

Winner: Republican by 33.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.9%
71% below US avg
High School+95.3%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density382/sq mi
Total Area1.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access74.9%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities28
Restaurants24
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.5 min
Drive Alone81.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.4%

Nearby Cities

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