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Waterville, IA

Iowa

Waterville is a small town in Iowa with a population of 143. Residents earn $48,750 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
143 Population 409/sq mi density
$48,750 Median Income $28,067 per capita
$93,800 Home Value $289,084 Zillow
$575 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$48,750 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$93,800 home value, $575/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,750
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $93,800
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.2%
85% lower than US avg
Median Rent $575
51% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.7%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.3%
41% lower than US avg

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

People

Population143
Median Age42.3 yrs
Density409/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans11.8%

Economy

B+
Median Income$48,750
Per Capita$28,067
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty7.3%
County GDP$780M
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$93,800
Rent$575
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$289,084
Housing Units63
Rent Burden51.0%

Health

Obesity40.7%
Uninsured6.9%
Smoking16.2%
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.2 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation860 ft (262 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.2%
High School+89.6%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute34 min
Broadband57.0%
Libraries6

Is Waterville a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Waterville receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Waterville offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Waterville is $48,750, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Waterville is $93,800, 67% 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 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Waterville experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Waterville has a population of 143 with a density of 409 people per square mile. The median age is 42.3 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.7%), with 2.8% Hispanic.

Population

143
Total Population
409
People / sq mi
42.3yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.2%
Female 44.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Waterville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.0%
20% above US avg
Spanish6.0%
55% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Waterville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Waterville is $48,750, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Waterville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,750
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,067
Avg Weekly Wage$881
IRS Avg AGI$64,956

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.3%
41% below US avg
Establishments (County)472
County GDP$780M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare30
Retail63
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,042
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.24%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time34.1 min
Drive Alone81.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Waterville is $93,800, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $575 (51% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $289,084.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$93,800
67% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$289,084

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$575
51% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied94.7%
Housing Units63
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,042
13% below US avg
Effective Rate3.24%
In Waterville, 40.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.9% of residents lack health insurance. 16.2% are current smokers. 22.5% report depression. 23.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.7%
27% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma10.2%
COPD6.2%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.2%
16% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity23.0%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress12.1%
Short Sleep35.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.8%
Uninsured6.9%
20% below US avg
Checkup Rate73.3%
Dental Visits67.2%
Premature Death6,990/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access55.6%
Healthcare Facilities30
Waterville has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.2 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.5°F
16% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.2 inches
3% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation860 ft (262 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density409/sq mi
Coordinates43.2077°N, 91.2966°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.3-point margin. 57.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.5%
D 32.2%

Winner: Republican by 34.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.2%
85% below US avg
High School+89.6%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density409/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access57.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities30
Restaurants36
Retail Stores63

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute34.1 min
Drive Alone81.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.3%

Nearby Cities

Waukon, IA 3,796 pop · 10.1 mi Lansing, IA 1,111 pop · 11.1 mi Monona, IA 1,618 pop · 11.9 mi Prairie du Chien, WI 5,471 pop · 13.9 mi Postville, IA 2,787 pop · 16.1 mi Elkader, IA 1,249 pop · 24.8 mi Decorah, IA 7,597 pop · 25.4 mi Spring Grove, MN 1,223 pop · 29.8 mi Boscobel, WI 3,263 pop · 30.1 mi Guttenberg, IA 1,675 pop · 30.5 mi Caledonia, MN 2,825 pop · 31.2 mi West Union, IA 2,393 pop · 31.2 mi Viroqua, WI 4,469 pop · 31.9 mi Fayette, IA 1,242 pop · 36.0 mi
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