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Washta, IA

Iowa

Washta is a small town in Iowa with a population of 171. Residents earn $50,313 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
171 Population 169/sq mi density
$50,313 Median Income $33,054 per capita
$50,500 Home Value $110,687 Zillow
$575 Median Rent 13.0% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$50,313 median income, 12.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$50,500 home value, $575/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
11.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,313
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $50,500
82% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.9%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $575
51% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 12.2%
239% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population171
Median Age56.9 yrs
Density169/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans6.1%

Economy

C+
Median Income$50,313
Per Capita$33,054
Unemployment12.2%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$1,087M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$50,500
Rent$575
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$110,687
Housing Units122
Rent Burden13.0%

Health

Obesity39.7%
Uninsured6.9%
Smoking16.5%
Depression22.8%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain31.2 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,152 ft (351 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.9%
High School+84.6%
Graduate+1.5%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute17 min
Broadband89.0%
Libraries6

Is Washta a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Washta receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Washta offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Washta is $50,313, 33% below the national average of $75,149. At 12.2%, unemployment is notably high. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Washta is $50,500, 82% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $575 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Washta experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 31.2 inches, including 37.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Washta has a population of 171 with a density of 169 people per square mile. The median age is 56.9 years, 46% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.5%), with 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

171
Total Population
169
People / sq mi
56.9yrs
Median Age
46% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.9%
Female 49.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Washta vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.0%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.0%
70% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Washta vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Washta is $50,313, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 12.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Washta vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,313
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,054
Avg Weekly Wage$970
IRS Avg AGI$74,807

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment12.2%
239% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)452
County GDP$1,087M

Business (County)

Restaurants30
Healthcare33
Retail45
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,325
5% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.1 min
Drive Alone84.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Washta is $50,500, 82% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $575 (51% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $110,687.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$50,500
82% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$110,687

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$575
51% below US avg
Rent Burden13.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.7%
Housing Units122
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,325
5% below US avg
Effective Rate6.58%
In Washta, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.9% of residents lack health insurance. 16.5% are current smokers. 22.8% report depression. 25.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.0%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.4%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.5%
18% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.5%
Physical Inactivity25.1%
Depression22.8%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress12.4%
Short Sleep32.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.1%
Uninsured6.9%
20% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.0%
Dental Visits63.6%
Premature Death7,020/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access65.9%
Healthcare Facilities33
Washta has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.2 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.7°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.2 inches
18% below US avg
Snowfall37.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,152 ft (351 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density169/sq mi
Coordinates42.5756°N, 95.7201°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19035
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 45.8-point margin. 89.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.2%
D 26.5%

Winner: Republican by 45.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.9%
65% below US avg
High School+84.6%
Graduate Degree+1.5%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density169/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants30
Retail Stores45

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.1 min
Drive Alone84.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Holstein, IA 1,552 pop · 10.9 mi Kingsley, IA 1,427 pop · 12.6 mi Cherokee, IA 5,157 pop · 14.7 mi Marcus, IA 1,236 pop · 17.6 mi Moville, IA 1,840 pop · 18.7 mi Ida Grove, IA 1,904 pop · 20.4 mi Remsen, IA 1,897 pop · 21.0 mi Alta, IA 2,344 pop · 22.1 mi Storm Lake, IA 11,275 pop · 27.0 mi Le Mars, IA 10,597 pop · 27.1 mi Alton, IA 1,350 pop · 32.0 mi Orange City, IA 6,312 pop · 34.0 mi Sergeant Bluff, IA 5,090 pop · 34.4 mi Sioux City, IA 85,651 pop · 34.5 mi
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