Sun Valley Lake, IA

Iowa

Sun Valley Lake is a small town in Iowa with a population of 162. Residents earn $127,188 per year, which is 69% above the national average.

4.8 /5.0
A+ Excellent
162 Population 79/sq mi density
$127,188 Median Income $76,883 per capita
$485,300 Home Value
N/A 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
$127,188 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$485,300 home value
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
67.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $127,188
69% higher than US avg
Home Value $485,300
72% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 67.1%
99% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

How Sun Valley Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population162
Median Age69.7 yrs
Density79/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans15.5%

Economy

A+
Median Income$127,188
Per Capita$76,883
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$234M
Commute35 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$485,300
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.0 in/yr
Elevation1,139 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+67.1%
High School+97.4%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute35 min
Broadband89.0%
Libraries1

Is Sun Valley Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sun Valley Lake 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. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, high obesity rates. Sun Valley Lake stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sun Valley Lake is $127,188, which is significantly higher than the national average — 69% above $75,149. This places Sun Valley Lake among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sun Valley Lake is $485,300, making it a premium housing market at 72% above the U.S. median of $281,900. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Sun Valley Lake is a highly educated community — 67.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Sun Valley Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.0 inches, including 26.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Sun Valley Lake has a population of 162 with a density of 79 people per square mile. The median age is 69.7 years, 79% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.4%), with 5.6% Hispanic.

Population

162
Total Population
79
People / sq mi
69.7yrs
Median Age
79% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.8%
Female 43.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Sun Valley Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sun Valley Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sun Valley Lake is $127,188, which is 69% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Sun Valley Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$127,188
69% above US avg
Per Capita Income$76,883
Avg Weekly Wage$889
IRS Avg AGI$60,255

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)182
County GDP$234M

Business (County)

Restaurants13
Healthcare11
Retail18
Manufacturing4

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,583
88% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time34.7 min
Drive Alone71.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home29.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Sun Valley Lake is $485,300, 72% above the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$485,300
72% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied95.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,583
88% above US avg
Effective Rate1.36%
In Sun Valley Lake, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.8% report depression. 21.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Sun Valley Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.2%
31% above US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.6%
Physical Inactivity21.7%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Checkup Rate74.9%
Premature Death8,711/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access53.7%
Healthcare Facilities11

Crime Rates: Sun Valley Lake vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Sun Valley Lake has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.2°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.0 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall26.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,139 ft (347 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density79/sq mi
Coordinates40.8492°N, 94.0675°W
County FIPS19159
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 67.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (99% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.3-point margin. 89.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.1%
D 23.8%

Winner: Republican by 51.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+67.1%
99% above US avg
High School+97.4%
School Test Score5.73
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density79/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants13
Retail Stores18

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute34.7 min
Drive Alone71.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home29.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Sun Valley Lake with another city: