West Liberty, IA

Iowa

West Liberty is a small town in Iowa with a population of 3,795. Residents earn $66,132 per year, which is 12% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
3,795 Population 2,144/sq mi density
$66,132 Median Income $28,015 per capita
$169,500 Home Value $214,316 Zillow
$871 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
134 Violent Crime/100K 886 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$66,132 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$169,500 home value, $871/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
134 violent crimes/100K (65% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,132
12% lower than US avg
Home Value $169,500
40% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 134/100K
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.3%
55% lower than US avg
Median Rent $871
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.9%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.1%
59% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,795
Median Age34.6 yrs
Density2,144/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 61%

Economy

A
Median Income$66,132
Per Capita$28,015
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty5.1%
County GDP$3,242M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$169,500
Rent$871
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$214,316

Crime

F
Violent134/100K
Property886/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault107/100K
Burglary161/100K

Health

Obesity41.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.4%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.5 in/yr
Elevation687 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.3%
High School+74.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute20 min
Libraries3

Is West Liberty a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Liberty receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. West Liberty offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Liberty is $66,132, 12% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.1% 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 West Liberty is $169,500, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $871 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

West Liberty is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 886 per 100,000, 55% below the national average.

Education

15.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 74.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

West Liberty experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

West Liberty has a population of 3,795 with a density of 2,144 people per square mile. The median age is 34.6 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (60.9%), with 2% Hispanic, 1.3% Black.

Population

3,795
Total Population
2,144
People / sq mi
34.6yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
1.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

West Liberty vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only50.2%
36% below US avg
Spanish49.8%
272% above US avg

Social Characteristics

West Liberty vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Liberty is $66,132, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 5.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: West Liberty vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,132
12% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,015
Avg Weekly Wage$1,223
IRS Avg AGI$71,292

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate5.1%
59% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,233
County GDP$3,242M

Business (County)

Restaurants105
Healthcare99
Retail128
Manufacturing60

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,864
39% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.0 min
Work from Home1.6%

Walkability

The median home value in West Liberty is $169,500, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $871 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $214,316.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$169,500
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$214,316

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$871
25% 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-Occupied72.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,864
39% above US avg
Effective Rate2.87%
In West Liberty, 41.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 17.4% report depression. 32.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.9%
31% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.8%
Asthma9.0%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.4%
Physical Inactivity32.1%
Depression17.4%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress13.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.6%
Checkup Rate73.7%
Premature Death7,717/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access79.4%
Healthcare Facilities99
West Liberty has a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, 65% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 886 per 100,000 (55% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent134.3/100K
65% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape26.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault107.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property886.1/100K
55% below US avg
Burglary161.1/100K
Theft698.2/100K
Vehicle Theft26.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
West Liberty has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.3°F
9% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.5 inches
4% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation687 ft (209 m)
Area1.8 sq mi (4.6 km²)
Population Density2,144/sq mi
Coordinates41.5730°N, 91.2626°W
County FIPS19139
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 15.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.6%
D 41.7%

Winner: Republican by 14.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.3%
55% below US avg
High School+74.0%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density2,144/sq mi
Total Area1.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities99
Restaurants105
Retail Stores128

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.0 min
Work from Home1.6%

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