University Heights, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

University Heights is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,232. Residents earn $105,172 per year, which is 40% above the national average.

4.9 /5.0
A+ Excellent
1,232 Population 4,738/sq mi density
$105,172 Median Income $77,415 per capita
$393,200 Home Value
$1,417 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.9 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$105,172 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$393,200 home value, $1,417/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
89.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $105,172
40% higher than US avg
Home Value $393,200
39% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 89.2%
165% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,417
22% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.1%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.6%
63% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,232
Median Age27.6 yrs
Density4,738/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

A+
Median Income$105,172
Per Capita$77,415
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty4.6%
County GDP$12,640M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$393,200
Rent$1,417
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.3%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.7 in/yr
Elevation780 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+89.2%
High School+100.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 30% / D 68%
Commute18 min
Libraries8

Is University Heights a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, University Heights receives an overall livability score of 4.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. University Heights stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in University Heights is $105,172, which is significantly higher than the national average — 40% above $75,149. This places University Heights among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 4.6% 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 University Heights is $393,200, 39% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,417 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

University Heights is a highly educated community — 89.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above 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

University Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

University Heights has a population of 1,232 with a density of 4,738 people per square mile. The median age is 27.6 years, 29% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.8%), with 1.2% Black.

Population

1,232
Total Population
4,738
People / sq mi
27.6yrs
Median Age
29% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

University Heights vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.8%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.2%
76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

University Heights vs U.S. Average

The median household income in University Heights is $105,172, which is 40% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: University Heights vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$105,172
40% above US avg
Per Capita Income$77,415
Avg Weekly Wage$1,238
IRS Avg AGI$93,456

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.6%
63% below US avg
Establishments (County)5,140
County GDP$12,640M

Business (County)

Restaurants448
Healthcare493
Retail492
Manufacturing80

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,982
99% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.6 min
Work from Home17.7%

Walkability

The median home value in University Heights is $393,200, 39% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,417 (22% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$393,200
39% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,417
22% above 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-Occupied55.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,982
99% above US avg
Effective Rate1.78%
In University Heights, 33.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.3% report depression. 18.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: University Heights vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.1%
3% above US avg
Diabetes9.9%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.1%
Physical Inactivity18.4%
Depression21.3%
Mental Distress15.4%
Physical Distress10.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.6%
Checkup Rate77.7%
Premature Death4,821/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access89.7%
Healthcare Facilities493

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

University Heights has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.0°F
6% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.7 inches
6% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation780 ft (238 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density4,738/sq mi
Coordinates41.6550°N, 91.5589°W
County FIPS19103
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 89.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (165% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 38.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 30.3%
D 68.4%

Winner: Democrat by 38.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+89.2%
165% above US avg
High School+100.0%
School Test Score5.73
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density4,738/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities493
Restaurants448
Retail Stores492

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.6 min
Work from Home17.7%

Nearby Cities

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