West Chester, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

West Chester is a small town in Iowa with a population of 168. Residents earn $49,750 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
168 Population 672/sq mi density
$49,750 Median Income $20,562 per capita
$73,800 Home Value $143,699 Zillow
$718 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$49,750 median income, 9.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$73,800 home value, $718/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,750
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $73,800
74% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.7%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $718
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 9.4%
161% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.1%
38% higher than US avg

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

People

Population168
Median Age28.5 yrs
Density672/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans1.6%

Economy

C
Median Income$49,750
Per Capita$20,562
Unemployment9.4%
Poverty17.1%
County GDP$1,863M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$73,800
Rent$718
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$143,699
Rent Burden51.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.2%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Elevation776 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.7%
High School+87.4%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute23 min
Broadband67.0%
Libraries3

Is West Chester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Chester receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. West Chester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Chester is $49,750, 34% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.4%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 17.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Chester is $73,800, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $718 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

West Chester experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches, including 25.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

West Chester has a population of 168 with a density of 672 people per square mile. The median age is 28.5 years, 27% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.7%), with 8.3% Hispanic.

Population

168
Total Population
672
People / sq mi
28.5yrs
Median Age
27% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.4%
Female 53.6%

Race & Ethnicity

West Chester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

West Chester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Chester is $49,750, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: West Chester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,750
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,562
Avg Weekly Wage$933
IRS Avg AGI$77,685

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.4%
161% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.1%
38% above US avg
Establishments (County)858
County GDP$1,863M

Business (County)

Restaurants43
Healthcare61
Retail89
Manufacturing36

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,261
22% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.77%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.8 min
Drive Alone96.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.3%

Walkability

The median home value in West Chester is $73,800, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $718 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $143,699.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$73,800
74% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$143,699

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$718
38% 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-Occupied86.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,261
22% above US avg
Effective Rate5.77%
In West Chester, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.2% report depression. 25.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: West Chester vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure32.5%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.8%
Physical Inactivity25.5%
Depression23.2%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Checkup Rate74.9%
Premature Death6,076/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access74.2%
Healthcare Facilities61

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

West Chester has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.3°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall25.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation776 ft (237 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density672/sq mi
Coordinates41.3400°N, 91.8169°W
County FIPS19183
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24.4-point margin. 67.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.6%
D 37.2%

Winner: Republican by 24.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.7%
56% below US avg
High School+87.4%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density672/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access67.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities61
Restaurants43
Retail Stores89

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.8 min
Drive Alone96.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.3%

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