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Thornburg, IA

Iowa

Thornburg is a small town in Iowa with a population of 43. Residents earn $39,821 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
43 Population 215/sq mi density
$39,821 Median Income $25,014 per capita
$22,500 Home Value
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$39,821 median income, 11.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$22,500 home value
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,821
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $22,500
92% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.5%
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 11.9%
231% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.1%
27% lower than US avg

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

People

Population43
Median Age60.5 yrs
Density215/mi²
Male / Female54% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans41.0%

Economy

C
Median Income$39,821
Per Capita$25,014
Unemployment11.9%
Poverty9.1%
County GDP$443M
Commute36 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$22,500
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units31
Rent Burden27.6%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.4 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation878 ft (268 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.5%
High School+97.5%
Graduate+4.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute36 min
Broadband21.0%
Libraries6

Is Thornburg a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Thornburg is $39,821, 47% below the national average of $75,149. At 11.9%, unemployment is notably high. 9.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Thornburg is $22,500, 92% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 0.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

27.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Thornburg 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 37.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Thornburg has a population of 43 with a density of 215 people per square mile. The median age is 60.5 years, 56% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

43
Total Population
215
People / sq mi
60.5yrs
Median Age
56% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.5%
Female 46.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Thornburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Thornburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Thornburg is $39,821, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 11.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes.

Income: Thornburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,821
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,014
Avg Weekly Wage$913
IRS Avg AGI$63,794

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment11.9%
231% above US avg
Poverty Rate9.1%
27% below US avg
Establishments (County)316
County GDP$443M

Business (County)

Restaurants15
Healthcare16
Retail29
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,438
30% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate10.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time36.0 min
Drive Alone80.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Thornburg is $22,500, 92% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$22,500
92% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden27.6%

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 Units31
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,438
30% below US avg
Effective Rate10.84%
Thornburg 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 37.4 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 Average48.9°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.4 inches
2% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation878 ft (268 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density215/sq mi
Coordinates41.4558°N, 92.3323°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19107
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 27.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (18% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.5-point margin. 21.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.2%
D 23.7%

Winner: Republican by 51.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.5%
18% below US avg
High School+97.5%
Graduate Degree+4.0%
School Test Score5.73
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density215/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access21.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants15
Retail Stores29

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute36.0 min
Drive Alone80.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Sigourney, IA 1,866 pop · 10.7 mi Montezuma, IA 1,257 pop · 13.4 mi New Sharon, IA 1,147 pop · 16.5 mi Oskaloosa, IA 11,492 pop · 19.6 mi Brooklyn, IA 1,565 pop · 20.0 mi Williamsburg, IA 3,347 pop · 22.1 mi Eddyville, IA 1,085 pop · 25.7 mi Wellman, IA 1,539 pop · 25.8 mi Marengo, IA 2,823 pop · 27.2 mi Sully, IA 1,092 pop · 27.9 mi Grinnell, IA 9,527 pop · 28.0 mi Ottumwa, IA 25,352 pop · 30.3 mi Pella, IA 10,624 pop · 30.5 mi Belle Plaine, IA 2,412 pop · 30.5 mi
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