Winterset, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Winterset is a small city in Iowa with a population of 5,384. Residents earn $69,268 per year, which is 8% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
5,384 Population 1,143/sq mi density
$69,268 Median Income $31,600 per capita
$181,500 Home Value $283,261 Zillow
$943 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
217 Violent Crime/100K 1,598 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$69,268 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$181,500 home value, $943/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
217 violent crimes/100K (43% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $69,268
8% lower than US avg
Home Value $181,500
36% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 217/100K
43% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.2%
37% lower than US avg
Median Rent $943
19% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.9%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.5%
40% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,384
Median Age37.0 yrs
Density1,143/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

A
Median Income$69,268
Per Capita$31,600
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty7.5%
County GDP$684M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$181,500
Rent$943
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$283,261

Crime

F
Violent217/100K
Property1,598/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault138/100K
Burglary454/100K

Health

Obesity36.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.8 in/yr
Elevation1,105 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.2%
High School+96.7%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute19 min
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Winterset a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Winterset receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Winterset offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Winterset is $69,268, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Winterset is $181,500, 36% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $943 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

Violent crime in Winterset is below the national average at 217 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,598 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

21.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Winterset experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.8 inches, including 30.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Winterset has a population of 5,384 with a density of 1,143 people per square mile. The median age is 37.0 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.9%), with 2.8% Black.

Population

5,384
Total Population
1,143
People / sq mi
37.0yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
4.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.4%
Female 52.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Winterset vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Winterset vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Winterset is $69,268, which is 8% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Winterset vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$69,268
8% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,600
Avg Weekly Wage$965
IRS Avg AGI$86,906

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.5%
40% below US avg
Establishments (County)566
County GDP$684M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare33
Retail44
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,857
67% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.23%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.1 min
Work from Home11.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Winterset is $181,500, 36% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $943 (19% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $283,261.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$181,500
36% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$283,261
Median List Price$307,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$307,000
$/Sq Ft$160
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio94.8%
Price Drops8.3%
Inventory24

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$943
19% 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-Occupied66.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,857
67% above US avg
Effective Rate3.23%
In Winterset, 36.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 22.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.9%
15% above US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure28.8%
Asthma10.0%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.4%
Physical Inactivity22.0%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress11.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.0%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death6,015/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access45.5%
Healthcare Facilities33
Winterset has a violent crime rate of 217 per 100,000 residents, 43% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,598 per 100,000 (18% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent217.1/100K
43% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape78.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault138.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,598.3/100K
18% below US avg
Burglary453.8/100K
Theft1,085.2/100K
Vehicle Theft59.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Winterset has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.8 inches
8% below US avg
Snowfall30.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,105 ft (337 m)
Area4.7 sq mi (12.2 km²)
Population Density1,143/sq mi
Coordinates41.3499°N, 94.0181°W
County FIPS19121
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 21.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (37% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.7%
D 30.1%

Winner: Republican by 38.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.2%
37% below US avg
High School+96.7%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,143/sq mi
Total Area4.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants24
Retail Stores44

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.1 min
Work from Home11.3%

Nearby Cities

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