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Swaledale, IA

Iowa

Swaledale is a small town in Iowa with a population of 125. Residents earn $47,500 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
125 Population 500/sq mi density
$47,500 Median Income $29,884 per capita
$55,000 Home Value
$604 Median Rent 9.0% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$47,500 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$55,000 home value, $604/mo rent
F
Education
1.1 / 5.0
1.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,500
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $55,000
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 1.8%
95% lower than US avg
Median Rent $604
48% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.6%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.7%
70% lower than US avg

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

People

Population125
Median Age59.8 yrs
Density500/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans19.3%

Economy

A
Median Income$47,500
Per Capita$29,884
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty3.7%
County GDP$790M
Commute33 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$55,000
Rent$604
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units72
Rent Burden9.0%

Health

Obesity40.6%
Uninsured6.9%
Smoking17.4%
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.1 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,149 ft (350 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+1.8%
High School+96.3%
Graduate+0.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 29%
Commute33 min
Broadband60.0%
Libraries4

Is Swaledale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Swaledale receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Swaledale offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Swaledale is $47,500, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Swaledale is $55,000, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $604 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

1.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Swaledale experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Swaledale has a population of 125 with a density of 500 people per square mile. The median age is 59.8 years, 54% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

125
Total Population
500
People / sq mi
59.8yrs
Median Age
54% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56%
Female 44%

Race & Ethnicity

Swaledale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.5%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.5%
74% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Swaledale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Swaledale is $47,500, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Swaledale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,500
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,884
Avg Weekly Wage$1,024
IRS Avg AGI$73,117

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.7%
70% below US avg
Establishments (County)364
County GDP$790M

Business (County)

Restaurants15
Healthcare26
Retail36
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,431
2% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.24%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.7 min
Drive Alone90.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Swaledale is $55,000, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $604 (48% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$55,000
80% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$604
48% below US avg
Rent Burden9.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.3%
Housing Units72
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,431
2% below US avg
Effective Rate6.24%
In Swaledale, 40.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.9% of residents lack health insurance. 17.4% are current smokers. 24.4% report depression. 25.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.6%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.6%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.4%
24% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.1%
Physical Inactivity25.0%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress12.5%
Short Sleep32.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.8%
Uninsured6.9%
20% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.3%
Dental Visits67.6%
Premature Death9,806/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access76.5%
Healthcare Facilities26
Swaledale has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.1 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.1 inches
0% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,149 ft (350 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density500/sq mi
Coordinates42.9765°N, 93.3155°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19069
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 1.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (95% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 41.7-point margin. 60.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.2%
D 28.5%

Winner: Republican by 41.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+1.8%
95% below US avg
High School+96.3%
Graduate Degree+0.9%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density500/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access60.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities26
Restaurants15
Retail Stores36

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.7 min
Drive Alone90.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Sheffield, IA 1,204 pop · 8.2 mi Clear Lake, IA 7,603 pop · 11.3 mi Mason City, IA 27,135 pop · 13.2 mi Garner, IA 3,062 pop · 16.8 mi Hampton, IA 4,311 pop · 17.1 mi Belmond, IA 2,678 pop · 17.3 mi Nora Springs, IA 1,394 pop · 19.3 mi Manly, IA 1,288 pop · 22.3 mi Forest City, IA 4,280 pop · 25.3 mi Britt, IA 1,919 pop · 26.0 mi Greene, IA 1,390 pop · 26.5 mi Clarion, IA 2,775 pop · 26.9 mi Allison, IA 1,028 pop · 30.6 mi Iowa Falls, IA 5,062 pop · 31.7 mi
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