Thompson, IA

Iowa

Thompson is a small town in Iowa with a population of 448. Residents earn $49,375 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

4.2 /5.0
A Great
448 Population 521/sq mi density
$49,375 Median Income $40,163 per capita
$99,600 Home Value $95,581 Zillow
$696 Median Rent 35.1% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$49,375 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$99,600 home value, $696/mo rent
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
34.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,375
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $99,600
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 34.0%
1% higher than US avg
Median Rent $696
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.5%
48% lower than US avg

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

People

Population448
Median Age60.3 yrs
Density521/mi²
Male / Female62% / 38%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans10.3%

Economy

B+
Median Income$49,375
Per Capita$40,163
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty6.5%
County GDP$690M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$99,600
Rent$696
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$95,581
Rent Burden35.1%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.9 in/yr
Elevation1,278 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+34.0%
High School+88.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute18 min
Broadband81.4%
Libraries5

Is Thompson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Thompson receives an overall livability score of 4.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Thompson stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Thompson is $49,375, 34% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Thompson is $99,600, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $696 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

Educational attainment is solid, with 34.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 88.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Thompson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Thompson has a population of 448 with a density of 521 people per square mile. The median age is 60.3 years, 55% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.9%).

Population

448
Total Population
521
People / sq mi
60.3yrs
Median Age
55% above US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 62.1%
Female 37.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Thompson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.5%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.5%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Thompson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Thompson is $49,375, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Thompson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,375
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$40,163
Avg Weekly Wage$904
IRS Avg AGI$70,658

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.5%
48% below US avg
Establishments (County)393
County GDP$690M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare31
Retail49
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,053
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.07%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.0 min
Drive Alone80.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Thompson is $99,600, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $696 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $95,581.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$99,600
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$95,581

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$696
40% below US avg
Rent Burden35.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,053
13% below US avg
Effective Rate3.07%
In Thompson, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.4% report depression. 24.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.7%
Asthma9.9%
COPD6.4%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.5%
Physical Inactivity24.4%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress12.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death5,991/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access85.3%
Healthcare Facilities31

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Thompson has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.9°F
17% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.9 inches
5% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,278 ft (390 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.2 km²)
Population Density521/sq mi
Coordinates43.3699°N, 93.7747°W
County FIPS19189
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 34.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (1% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.7-point margin. 81.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.6%
D 33.9%

Winner: Republican by 30.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+34.0%
1% above US avg
High School+88.3%
School Test Score5.73
B+ Education Grade (3.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density521/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.4%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities31
Restaurants21
Retail Stores49

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.0 min
Drive Alone80.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Thompson with another city: