West Union, IA

Iowa

West Union is a small town in Iowa with a population of 2,393. Residents earn $50,909 per year, which is 32% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
2,393 Population 870/sq mi density
$50,909 Median Income $30,275 per capita
$133,200 Home Value $137,495 Zillow
$925 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$50,909 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$133,200 home value, $925/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,909
32% lower than US avg
Home Value $133,200
53% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.9%
26% lower than US avg
Median Rent $925
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.3%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.7%
14% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,393
Median Age42.0 yrs
Density870/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,909
Per Capita$30,275
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty10.7%
County GDP$1,075M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$133,200
Rent$925
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$137,495

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.5 in/yr
Elevation1,160 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.9%
High School+93.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute18 min
EV Stations1
Libraries11

Is West Union a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Union receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. West Union offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Union is $50,909, 32% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. 10.7% 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 West Union is $133,200, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $925 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.

Education

24.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

West Union has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.5 inches, including 41.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

West Union has a population of 2,393 with a density of 870 people per square mile. The median age is 42.0 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.2%).

Population

2,393
Total Population
870
People / sq mi
42.0yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.2%
Female 51.8%

Race & Ethnicity

West Union vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.4%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.6%
58% below US avg

Social Characteristics

West Union vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Union is $50,909, which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: West Union vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,909
32% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,275
Avg Weekly Wage$939
IRS Avg AGI$65,872

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.7%
14% below US avg
Establishments (County)680
County GDP$1,075M

Business (County)

Restaurants41
Healthcare50
Retail94
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,224
8% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.42%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.4 min
Work from Home4.8%

Walkability

The median home value in West Union is $133,200, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $925 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $137,495.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$133,200
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$137,495

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$925
20% 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-Occupied64.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,224
8% below US avg
Effective Rate2.42%
In West Union, 40.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 28.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.3%
26% above US avg
Diabetes10.9%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure33.4%
Asthma10.2%
COPD7.4%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.0%
Physical Inactivity28.5%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress13.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Checkup Rate76.0%
Premature Death8,298/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access62.2%
Healthcare Facilities50

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

West Union has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.0°F
17% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.5 inches
4% above US avg
Snowfall41.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,160 ft (354 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.1 km²)
Population Density870/sq mi
Coordinates42.9589°N, 91.8130°W
County FIPS19065
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 24.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (26% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.4%
D 34%

Winner: Republican by 30.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.9%
26% below US avg
High School+93.6%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density870/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities50
Restaurants41
Retail Stores94

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.4 min
Work from Home4.8%

Nearby Cities

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