Underwood, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Underwood is a small town in Iowa with a population of 977. Residents earn $90,556 per year, which is 21% above the national average.

4.5 /5.0
A+ Excellent
977 Population 896/sq mi density
$90,556 Median Income $38,706 per capita
$227,400 Home Value $372,918 Zillow
$819 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.5 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$90,556 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$227,400 home value, $819/mo rent
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
32.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $90,556
21% higher than US avg
Home Value $227,400
19% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 32.6%
3% lower than US avg
Median Rent $819
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.0%
9% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.3%
73% lower than US avg

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

People

Population977
Median Age29.5 yrs
Density896/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A+
Median Income$90,556
Per Capita$38,706
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty3.3%
County GDP$6,263M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$227,400
Rent$819
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$372,918

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.1%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain31.9 in/yr
Elevation1,058 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+32.6%
High School+94.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 39%
Commute25 min
Libraries5

Is Underwood a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Underwood receives an overall livability score of 4.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Underwood stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Underwood is $90,556, 21% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. Only 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Underwood is $227,400, 19% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $819 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

32.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Underwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.9 inches, including 27.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Underwood has a population of 977 with a density of 896 people per square mile. The median age is 29.5 years, 24% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.7%), with 3.8% Hispanic.

Population

977
Total Population
896
People / sq mi
29.5yrs
Median Age
24% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Underwood vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.9%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.1%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Underwood vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Underwood is $90,556, which is 21% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Underwood vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$90,556
21% above US avg
Per Capita Income$38,706
Avg Weekly Wage$1,085
IRS Avg AGI$73,871

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.3%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,746
County GDP$6,263M

Business (County)

Restaurants209
Healthcare220
Retail252
Manufacturing62

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,355
53% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.35%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.1 min
Work from Home9.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Underwood is $227,400, 19% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $819 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $372,918.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$227,400
19% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$372,918

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$819
30% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,355
53% above US avg
Effective Rate2.35%
In Underwood, 35.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.1% report depression. 19.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.0%
9% above US avg
Diabetes7.6%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure27.4%
Asthma9.9%
COPD4.8%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.7%
Physical Inactivity19.8%
Depression22.1%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress10.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.5%
Checkup Rate75.2%
Premature Death9,293/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access82.9%
Healthcare Facilities220

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Underwood has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average52.4°F
3% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.9 inches
16% below US avg
Snowfall27.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,058 ft (322 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density896/sq mi
Coordinates41.3802°N, 95.6825°W
County FIPS19155
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 32.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (3% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 20-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.3%
D 39.3%

Winner: Republican by 20 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+32.6%
3% below US avg
High School+94.9%
School Test Score5.73
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density896/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities220
Restaurants209
Retail Stores252

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.1 min
Work from Home9.6%

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