Thayer, IA

Iowa

Thayer is a small town in Iowa with a population of 50. Residents earn $52,500 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
50 Population 357/sq mi density
$52,500 Median Income $13,806 per capita
$26,000 Home Value $228,408 Zillow
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$52,500 median income, 4.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$26,000 home value
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
4.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,500
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $26,000
91% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 4.2%
88% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.2%
17% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population50
Median Age13.0 yrs
Density357/mi²
Male / Female62% / 38%
Largest GroupWhite 48%
Veterans24.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$52,500
Per Capita$13,806
Unemployment4.2%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$965M
Commute76 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$26,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$228,408
Housing Units16

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,122 ft (342 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+4.2%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 31%
Commute76 min
Broadband12.0%
Libraries1

Is Thayer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Thayer receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times. Thayer offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Thayer is $52,500, 30% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 76 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Thayer is $26,000, 91% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 0.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

4.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Thayer experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Thayer has a population of 50 with a density of 357 people per square mile. The median age is 13.0 years, 67% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (48%).

Population

50
Total Population
357
People / sq mi
13.0yrs
Median Age
67% below US avg
0.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 62%
Female 38%

Race & Ethnicity

Thayer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Thayer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Thayer is $52,500, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 76 minutes.

Income: Thayer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,500
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$13,806
Avg Weekly Wage$962
IRS Avg AGI$60,108

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.2%
17% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)459
County GDP$965M

Business (County)

Restaurants27
Healthcare34
Retail46
Manufacturing10

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,256
22% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate16.37%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time75.7 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Thayer is $26,000, 91% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $228,408.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$26,000
91% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$228,408

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-Occupied100.0%
Housing Units16
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,256
22% above US avg
Effective Rate16.37%
Thayer has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,122 ft (342 m)
Area0.1 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density357/sq mi
Coordinates41.0287°N, 94.0499°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19175
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 4.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (88% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 36.2-point margin. 12.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.4%
D 31.3%

Winner: Republican by 36.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+4.2%
88% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density357/sq mi
Total Area0.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access12.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities34
Restaurants27
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute75.7 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Osceola, IA 5,495 pop · 13.8 mi Creston, IA 7,466 pop · 16.5 mi Winterset, IA 5,384 pop · 22.3 mi Mount Ayr, IA 1,739 pop · 23.8 mi Leon, IA 1,795 pop · 25.1 mi Lenox, IA 1,474 pop · 28.4 mi Greenfield, IA 1,826 pop · 28.6 mi Lamoni, IA 2,121 pop · 29.0 mi Earlham, IA 1,406 pop · 32.4 mi Indianola, IA 15,918 pop · 34.2 mi Van Meter, IA 1,469 pop · 34.7 mi Stuart, IA 1,642 pop · 35.4 mi Corning, IA 1,573 pop · 36.0 mi Norwalk, IA 13,610 pop · 36.4 mi
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