Wesley, IA

Iowa

Wesley is a small town in Iowa with a population of 356. Residents earn $65,625 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
356 Population 531/sq mi density
$65,625 Median Income $34,658 per capita
$88,900 Home Value $177,230 Zillow
$625 Median Rent 26.3% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$65,625 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$88,900 home value, $625/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,625
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $88,900
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.4%
63% lower than US avg
Median Rent $625
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.7%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.4%
56% lower than US avg

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

People

Population356
Median Age41.3 yrs
Density531/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans11.1%

Economy

A
Median Income$65,625
Per Capita$34,658
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty5.4%
County GDP$1,204M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$88,900
Rent$625
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$177,230
Housing Units155
Rent Burden26.3%

Health

Obesity38.7%
Uninsured6.7%
Smoking16.0%
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,253 ft (382 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.4%
High School+91.9%
Graduate+1.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute20 min
Broadband88.2%
Libraries7

Is Wesley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wesley receives an overall livability score of 3.7 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 high obesity rates. Wesley offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wesley is $65,625, 13% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wesley is $88,900, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $625 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Wesley experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 15°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 34.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Wesley has a population of 356 with a density of 531 people per square mile. The median age is 41.3 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.3%), with 1.4% Hispanic.

Population

356
Total Population
531
People / sq mi
41.3yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.7%
Female 41.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Wesley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.7%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.3%
1% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wesley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wesley is $65,625, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Wesley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,625
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,658
Avg Weekly Wage$1,152
IRS Avg AGI$77,191

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.4%
56% below US avg
Establishments (County)379
County GDP$1,204M

Business (County)

Restaurants14
Healthcare25
Retail36
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,211
8% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.61%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.1 min
Drive Alone85.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Wesley is $88,900, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $625 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $177,230.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$88,900
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$177,230

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$625
46% below US avg
Rent Burden26.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.5%
Housing Units155
Median Year Built1955

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,211
8% below US avg
Effective Rate3.61%
In Wesley, 38.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.7% of residents lack health insurance. 16.0% are current smokers. 22.2% report depression. 23.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.7%
21% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure29.8%
Asthma10.1%
COPD6.1%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.0%
14% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.6%
Physical Inactivity23.7%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.1%
Short Sleep35.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.9%
Uninsured6.7%
22% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.2%
Dental Visits68.3%
Premature Death6,876/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access70.9%
Healthcare Facilities25
Wesley has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.5°F
16% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.3 inches
10% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,253 ft (382 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density531/sq mi
Coordinates43.0891°N, 93.9929°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19081
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.4-point margin. 88.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.1%
D 25.7%

Winner: Republican by 47.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.4%
63% below US avg
High School+91.9%
Graduate Degree+1.9%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density531/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.2%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants14
Retail Stores36

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.1 min
Drive Alone85.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.7%

Nearby Cities

Britt, IA 1,919 pop · 9.6 mi Algona, IA 5,414 pop · 12.1 mi St. Joseph, MO 71,542 pop · 17.0 mi Garner, IA 3,062 pop · 19.7 mi Forest City, IA 4,280 pop · 21.4 mi Belmond, IA 2,678 pop · 25.7 mi Humboldt, IA 4,761 pop · 27.9 mi Clarion, IA 2,775 pop · 28.0 mi Eagle Grove, IA 3,588 pop · 29.6 mi Clear Lake, IA 7,603 pop · 31.4 mi Lake Mills, IA 2,054 pop · 32.4 mi Emmetsburg, IA 3,651 pop · 34.7 mi Blue Earth, MN 3,170 pop · 38.5 mi Graettinger, IA 1,038 pop · 39.5 mi
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