Vail, IA

Iowa

Vail is a small town in Iowa with a population of 431. Residents earn $66,458 per year, which is 12% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
431 Population 756/sq mi density
$66,458 Median Income $24,668 per capita
$82,100 Home Value $193,571 Zillow
$665 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$66,458 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$82,100 home value, $665/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,458
12% lower than US avg
Home Value $82,100
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.9%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $665
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.5%
29% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.1%
27% lower than US avg

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

People

Population431
Median Age35.8 yrs
Density756/mi²
Male / Female39% / 61%
Largest GroupWhite 70%

Economy

A
Median Income$66,458
Per Capita$24,668
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty9.1%
County GDP$1,117M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$82,100
Rent$665
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$193,571

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.8%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain33.6 in/yr
Elevation1,259 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.9%
High School+76.8%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute27 min
Libraries6

Is Vail a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Vail receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Vail offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Vail is $66,458, 12% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 9.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Vail is $82,100, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $665 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Vail experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches, including 34.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Vail has a population of 431 with a density of 756 people per square mile. The median age is 35.8 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.8%).

Population

431
Total Population
756
People / sq mi
35.8yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 39%
Female 61%

Race & Ethnicity

Vail vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only62.3%
21% below US avg
Spanish37.7%
181% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Vail vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Vail is $66,458, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Vail vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,458
12% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,668
Avg Weekly Wage$1,021
IRS Avg AGI$68,004

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.1%
27% below US avg
Establishments (County)514
County GDP$1,117M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare40
Retail47
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,829
9% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.66%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.4 min
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Vail is $82,100, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $665 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $193,571.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$82,100
71% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$193,571

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$665
43% 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-Occupied92.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,829
9% above US avg
Effective Rate4.66%
In Vail, 41.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.8% report depression. 27.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.5%
29% above US avg
Diabetes10.4%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.0%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.0%
Physical Inactivity27.0%
Depression20.8%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.2%
Checkup Rate75.8%
Premature Death6,563/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access62.9%
Healthcare Facilities40

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Vail has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.6 inches
11% below US avg
Snowfall34.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,259 ft (384 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density756/sq mi
Coordinates42.0597°N, 95.2005°W
County FIPS19047
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.3%
D 27.8%

Winner: Republican by 43.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.9%
53% below US avg
High School+76.8%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density756/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities40
Restaurants36
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.4 min
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Vail with another city: