Urbandale, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Urbandale is a mid-size city in Iowa with a population of 46,026. Residents earn $113,086 per year, which is 50% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
46,026 Population 2,042/sq mi density
$113,086 Median Income $52,757 per capita
$318,800 Home Value $348,073 Zillow
$1,176 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
198 Violent Crime/100K 1,646 property/100K
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$113,086 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$318,800 home value, $1,176/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
198 violent crimes/100K (48% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
51.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $113,086
50% higher than US avg
Home Value $318,800
13% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 198/100K
48% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 51.4%
53% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,176
1% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.8%
5% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.1%
42% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.5%
64% lower than US avg

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

People

Population46,026
Median Age38.7 yrs
Density2,042/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

A+
Median Income$113,086
Per Capita$52,757
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty4.5%
County GDP$63,823M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$318,800
Rent$1,176
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$348,073

Crime

F
Violent198/100K
Property1,646/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault156/100K
Burglary163/100K

Health

Obesity33.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.0%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.2 in/yr
Elevation974 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+51.4%
High School+94.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 55%
Commute19 min
EV Stations9
Libraries19

Is Urbandale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Urbandale receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Urbandale stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Urbandale is $113,086, which is significantly higher than the national average — 50% above $75,149. This places Urbandale among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.1%. Only 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Urbandale is $318,800, 13% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,176 per month. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Urbandale is below the national average at 198 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,646 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Urbandale is a highly educated community — 51.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above 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

Urbandale experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.2 inches, including 38.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Urbandale has a population of 46,026 with a density of 2,042 people per square mile. The median age is 38.7 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.9%), with 5.5% Black.

Population

46,026
Total Population
2,042
People / sq mi
38.7yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
22.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Urbandale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.4%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.6%
13% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Urbandale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Urbandale is $113,086, which is 50% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Urbandale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$113,086
50% above US avg
Per Capita Income$52,757
Avg Weekly Wage$1,395
IRS Avg AGI$93,610

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.5%
64% below US avg
Establishments (County)20,581
County GDP$63,823M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,227
Healthcare1,513
Retail1,606
Manufacturing341

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,943
98% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.18%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.5 min
Work from Home15.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Urbandale is $318,800, 13% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,176 (1% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $348,073.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$318,800
13% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$348,073
Median List Price$350,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$350,000
$/Sq Ft$223
Homes Sold49
Sale-to-List Ratio98.8%
Price Drops20.1%
Inventory284

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,176
1% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,033

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,943
98% above US avg
Effective Rate2.18%
In Urbandale, 33.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.0% report depression. 19.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.8%
5% above US avg
Diabetes8.3%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure28.0%
Asthma9.5%
COPD4.6%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.3%
Physical Inactivity19.8%
Depression21.0%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death7,653/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access90.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,513
Urbandale has a violent crime rate of 198 per 100,000 residents, 48% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,646 per 100,000 (16% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent198.4/100K
48% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape33.1/100K
Robbery9.5/100K
Assault155.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,646.4/100K
16% below US avg
Burglary163.0/100K
Theft1,384.2/100K
Vehicle Theft99.2/100K
Arson2.4/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Urbandale has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.3°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.2 inches
5% below US avg
Snowfall38.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation974 ft (297 m)
Area22.5 sq mi (58.4 km²)
Population Density2,042/sq mi
Coordinates41.6368°N, 93.7798°W
County FIPS19153
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 51.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.9%
D 54.8%

Winner: Democrat by 10.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+51.4%
53% above US avg
High School+94.9%
School Test Score5.73
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,042/sq mi
Total Area22.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations9
Alt Fuel Stations20
Public Libraries19
Healthcare Facilities1,513
Restaurants1,227
Retail Stores1,606

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.5 min
Work from Home15.9%

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