Waukon, IA

Iowa

Waukon is a small town in Iowa with a population of 3,796. Residents earn $56,250 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
3,796 Population 1,337/sq mi density
$56,250 Median Income $32,595 per capita
$133,700 Home Value $226,799 Zillow
$719 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$56,250 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$133,700 home value, $719/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,250
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $133,700
53% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.0%
38% lower than US avg
Median Rent $719
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.6%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.5%
7% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,796
Median Age42.5 yrs
Density1,337/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

B+
Median Income$56,250
Per Capita$32,595
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty11.5%
County GDP$780M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$133,700
Rent$719
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$226,799

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property52/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

Obesity42.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.9%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.2 in/yr

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.0%
High School+90.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute18 min
Libraries6

Is Waukon a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Waukon is $56,250, 25% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average 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 Waukon is $133,700, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $719 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Waukon is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 52 per 100,000, 97% below the national average.

Education

21.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Waukon experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Waukon has a population of 3,796 with a density of 1,337 people per square mile. The median age is 42.5 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.9%).

Population

3,796
Total Population
1,337
People / sq mi
42.5yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.1%
Female 49.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Waukon vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.6%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.4%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Waukon vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Waukon is $56,250, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Waukon vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,250
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,595
Avg Weekly Wage$881
IRS Avg AGI$64,956

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.5%
7% 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 Rate2.28%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.9 min
Work from Home7.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Waukon is $133,700, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $719 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $226,799.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$133,700
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$226,799

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$719
38% 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-Occupied75.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,042
13% below US avg
Effective Rate2.28%
In Waukon, 42.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.9% report depression. 25.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.6%
33% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure31.9%
Asthma10.4%
COPD7.0%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.3%
Physical Inactivity25.1%
Depression22.9%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.0%
Checkup Rate73.6%
Premature Death6,990/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access55.6%
Healthcare Facilities30
Waukon has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 52 per 100,000 (97% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property51.8/100K
97% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft51.8/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Waukon 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. 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)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.2 inches
3% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area2.8 sq mi (7.4 km²)
Population Density1,337/sq mi
Coordinates43.2685°N, 91.4785°W
County FIPS19005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 21.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (38% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.5%
D 32.2%

Winner: Republican by 34.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.0%
38% below US avg
High School+90.3%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,337/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities30
Restaurants36
Retail Stores63

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.9 min
Work from Home7.9%

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