Median Income
$64,904
14% lower than US avg
Home Value
$149,200
47% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
21.0%
38% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$1,000
14% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
38.7%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment
0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
2.7%
78% lower than US avg
How Winthrop Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population1,081
Median Age37.5 yrs
Density1,368/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans7.2%
Economy
A
Median Income$64,904
Per Capita$31,950
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty2.7%
County GDP$1,087M
Commute22 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$149,200
Rent$1,000
Ownership79.2%
Zillow$250,840
Housing Units404
Rent Burden22.8%
Health
Obesity38.7%
Uninsured1.3%
Smoking17.0%
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.5%
Climate
Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
Rain37.4 in/yr
Elevation1,028 ft (313 m)
Education
C+
Bachelor's+21.0%
High School+94.4%
Graduate+5.3%
School Score5.70
Community
2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute22 min
Broadband94.4%
EV Stations1
Libraries6
Is Winthrop a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Winthrop receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Winthrop stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Winthrop is $64,904, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. Only 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Winthrop is $149,200, 47% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,000 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Education
21.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.
Climate & Weather
Winthrop experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.4 inches, including 33.9 inches of snow.
Winthrop has a population of 1,081 with a density of 1,368 people per square mile, spread across 0.8 square miles. The median age is 37.5 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 45.2% female and 54.8% male. The city is predominantly White (97.4%), with 1.5% Hispanic. English is the primary language spoken at home by 98.2% of residents. 7.2% of the population are veterans. 14.5% of residents have a disability. 98.7% have health insurance coverage.
Population
1,081
Total Population
2023 Census
37.5yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
Language Spoken at Home
English Only
98.2%
25% above US avg
Spanish
1.5%
89% below US avg
The median household income in Winthrop is $64,904, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $31,950 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $962, 33% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 638 business establishments, including 37 restaurants. The cost of living index is 87.8, below the national baseline of 100 / offering relatively affordable living. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 9.6% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).
Income
| Median HH Income | $64,904 |
| 14% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $31,950 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $962 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $76,868 |
| Gini Index | 0.404 (0=equal, 1=unequal) |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 0.7% |
| 81% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 2.7% |
| 78% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 638 |
| County GDP | $1,087M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 37 |
| Healthcare | 44 |
| Retail | 72 |
| Manufacturing | 33 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,750 |
| 7% above US avg |
| Cost of Living | 87.80 (100=avg) |
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.51% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 22.0 min |
| Drive Alone | 70.0% |
| Public Transit | 0.6% |
| Work from Home | 9.6% |
The median home value in Winthrop is $149,200, 47% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $250,840, higher than the Census estimate. Monthly rent averages $1,000 (14% below the national average of $1,163). Fair market rent ranges from $788 for a one-bedroom to $989 for a two-bedroom apartment. 79.2% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 404 total housing units in the city. The median year a home was built is 1970. The average annual property tax is $3,750. 22.8% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.3x, well within the affordable range.
Home Values
| Census Median | $149,200 |
| 47% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $250,840 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,000 |
| 14% below US avg |
| Rent Burden | 22.8% |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $738 |
| 1 Bedroom | $788 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $989 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,282 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 79.2% |
| Owner-Occupied | 79.2% |
| Renter-Occupied | 20.8% |
| Housing Units | 404 |
| Median Year Built | 1970 |
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,750 |
| 7% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 2.51% |
In Winthrop, 38.7% of adults are obese, above the national rate of 32.1%. 9.5% have diabetes. Heart disease affects 5.5% of residents. 31.5% have high blood pressure. 17.0% are current smokers (above the 14.0% national rate). 23.7% report binge drinking. 23.9% are physically inactive. 22.5% report depression. 18.3% experience frequent mental distress. 1.3% of residents lack health insurance (below the 8.6% national rate). The primary care physician ratio is 1:2,582. The dentist ratio is 1:2,959. 67.1% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The food environment index is 9.0 out of 10.
Health Metrics: Winthrop vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 38.7% |
| 21% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 9.5% |
| Heart Disease | 5.5% |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.5% |
| Asthma | 10.5% |
| COPD | 6.5% |
| Cancer | 7.5% |
| Stroke | 2.9% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| Smoking | 17.0% |
| 21% above US avg |
| Binge Drinking | 23.7% |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.9% |
| Depression | 22.5% |
| Mental Distress | 18.3% |
| Physical Distress | 12.5% |
| Short Sleep | 36.2% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 98.7% |
| Uninsured | 1.3% |
| 85% below US avg |
| Primary Care | 1:2,582 |
| Dentists | 1:2,959 |
| Mental Health | 1:690 |
| Checkup Rate | 75.0% |
| Dental Visits | 66.0% |
| Premature Death | 5,284/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 9.0/10 |
| Exercise Access | 67.1% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 44 |
Winthrop experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.4 inches. The area receives 33.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 1,028 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 47.0°F |
| 13% below US avg |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,028 ft (313 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,368/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.4708°N, 91.7374°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Buchanan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Monticello Regional (MXO)
34 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall
37.4"
2% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun)
5.66"
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 24.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 87.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado |
Relatively Low |
| Hurricane |
Very Low |
| Earthquake |
Very Low |
| Wildfire |
Very Low |
| Flood |
Relatively Low |
| Hail |
Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind |
Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave |
Very Low |
| Winter Weather |
Relatively Low |
| Lightning |
Very Low |
| Ice Storm |
Very Low |
| Drought |
Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave |
Relatively Low |
| Landslide |
Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
590 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest: EF5. Total: 22 fatalities, 472 injuries.
| Date |
Rating |
Distance |
Fatalities |
| May 25, 2008 |
EF5 |
94 km |
9 |
| May 15, 1968 |
EF5 |
27 km |
5 |
| Mar 13, 1990 |
EF4 |
37 km |
0 |
| Aug 12, 1974 |
EF4 |
88 km |
0 |
| Aug 12, 1974 |
EF4 |
25 km |
0 |
| Aug 26, 1965 |
EF4 |
43 km |
1 |
| Apr 11, 1965 |
EF4 |
96 km |
1 |
| Apr 30, 1954 |
EF4 |
41 km |
0 |
| May 25, 2008 |
EF3 |
27 km |
0 |
| May 21, 2004 |
EF3 |
47 km |
0 |
| May 11, 2000 |
EF3 |
59 km |
1 |
| Jul 27, 1995 |
EF3 |
15 km |
0 |
| Jun 19, 1993 |
EF3 |
85 km |
0 |
| Jun 19, 1993 |
EF3 |
18 km |
0 |
| Jul 13, 1992 |
EF3 |
60 km |
0 |
| May 30, 1985 |
EF3 |
46 km |
2 |
| May 4, 1977 |
EF3 |
88 km |
0 |
| Nov 9, 1975 |
EF3 |
67 km |
0 |
| Jul 12, 1971 |
EF3 |
26 km |
0 |
| Jun 24, 1971 |
EF3 |
67 km |
1 |
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (939 ac, 2009).
| Year |
Name |
Acres |
Distance |
| 2009 |
UNNAMED |
939 |
80 km |
| 2010 |
FOLEY |
786 |
79 km |
| 2011 |
ACE AUTO |
676 |
78 km |
| 2011 |
IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 |
510 |
81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)
Monthly Weather
| Month |
Avg Temperature |
Precipitation |
Summary |
| January |
17°F (-8°C) |
1.0 in |
Coldest, Driest |
| February |
21°F (-6°C) |
1.4 in |
|
| March |
34°F (1°C) |
2.0 in |
|
| April |
47°F (9°C) |
3.6 in |
|
| May |
59°F (15°C) |
4.6 in |
|
| June |
70°F (21°C) |
5.7 in |
Wettest |
| July |
72°F (22°C) |
4.6 in |
Warmest |
| August |
70°F (21°C) |
4.3 in |
|
| September |
63°F (17°C) |
3.5 in |
|
| October |
50°F (10°C) |
3.0 in |
|
| November |
36°F (2°C) |
2.1 in |
|
| December |
23°F (-5°C) |
1.7 in |
|
Winthrop has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 17°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.7") and January the driest (1.0").
Average costs for common services in Winthrop. Prices are estimated based on regional cost of living data and may vary by provider.
Healthcare
| Doctor Visit (Primary Care) |
$220 ($132-$351) |
| Specialist Visit |
$307 ($176-$483) |
| Urgent Care Visit |
$176 ($88-$307) |
| Emergency Room Visit |
$1,932 ($702-$4,390) |
| Dental Cleaning |
$114 ($66-$176) |
| Dental Filling |
$220 ($132-$351) |
View all 40 services
Auto Repair
| Oil Change (Conventional) |
$40 ($22-$66) |
| Oil Change (Synthetic) |
$66 ($44-$105) |
| Brake Pad Replacement |
$263 ($132-$439) |
| Tire Rotation |
$35 ($18-$66) |
| New Tires (Set of 4) |
$527 ($351-$878) |
| Battery Replacement |
$176 ($88-$307) |
View all 18 services
Home Services
| Plumber (Per Hour) |
$88 ($53-$132) |
| Electrician (Per Hour) |
$79 ($44-$123) |
| HVAC Repair |
$351 ($132-$702) |
| HVAC System Install |
$6,146 ($3,512-$10,536) |
| Roof Repair |
$878 ($351-$1,756) |
| Roof Replacement |
$7,902 ($4,829-$13,170) |
View all 25 services
Legal
| Divorce (Uncontested) |
$1,317 ($439-$3,073) |
| Divorce (Contested) |
$13,170 ($4,390-$26,340) |
| DUI Defense |
$4,390 ($1,756-$8,780) |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) |
$1,317 ($702-$2,634) |
| Will Preparation |
$439 ($176-$878) |
| Trust Preparation |
$2,195 ($878-$4,390) |
View all 12 services
Personal Care
| Men's Haircut |
$22 ($13-$40) |
| Women's Haircut |
$48 ($26-$88) |
| Hair Coloring (Full) |
$132 ($66-$220) |
| Manicure |
$22 ($13-$40) |
| Pedicure |
$35 ($22-$57) |
| Massage (1 Hour) |
$70 ($44-$114) |
View all 12 services
Food & Grocery
| Gallon of Milk (per gallon) |
$3.60 ($2.63-$4.83) |
| Dozen Eggs (per dozen) |
$3.07 ($2.20-$4.39) |
| Loaf of Bread |
$3.34 ($2.20-$4.83) |
| Chicken Breast (per lb) |
$3.95 ($2.63-$5.71) |
| Ground Beef (per lb) |
$4.83 ($3.51-$6.59) |
| Rice (per lb) |
$0.88 ($0.53-$1.58) |
View all 20 services
Utilities
| Electricity (Monthly) |
$123 ($70-$220) |
| Natural Gas (Monthly) |
$61 ($26-$132) |
| Water/Sewer (Monthly) |
$61 ($35-$105) |
| Internet (Monthly) |
$61 ($35-$88) |
| Cell Phone Plan (Monthly) |
$57 ($26-$88) |
| Cable TV (Monthly) |
$75 ($44-$132) |
View all 8 services
Transportation
| Monthly Parking (Downtown) |
$176 ($66-$439) |
| Car Insurance (Annual) |
$1,756 ($1,054-$3,073) |
| Bus Pass (Monthly) |
$61 ($26-$114) |
| Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride) |
$13 ($7.02-$22) |
| Car Registration (Annual) |
$88 ($26-$220) |
| Driver's License Renewal |
$26 ($13-$66) |
View all 8 services
Education & Childcare
| Daycare (Infant, Monthly) |
$1,054 ($527-$2,195) |
| Daycare (Toddler, Monthly) |
$878 ($439-$1,756) |
| After-School Care (Monthly) |
$351 ($176-$615) |
| Tutoring (Per Hour) |
$44 ($22-$88) |
| SAT/ACT Prep Course |
$878 ($351-$2,195) |
| Private School (K-12, Annual) |
$10,975 ($4,390-$26,340) |
View all 8 services
Pets
| Vet Visit (Routine Checkup) |
$53 ($26-$88) |
| Dog Vaccination (Annual) |
$88 ($44-$176) |
| Dog Grooming |
$53 ($26-$88) |
| Pet Boarding (Per Night) |
$35 ($18-$66) |
| Dog Spay/Neuter |
$263 ($132-$439) |
| Cat Spay/Neuter |
$176 ($88-$351) |
View all 9 services
Childcare
| Center-Based (monthly) |
| Infant | $687 |
| Toddler | $592 |
| Preschool | $592 |
| Family Childcare (monthly) |
| Infant | $464 |
| Toddler | $456 |
| Preschool | $456 |
Source: DOL Women's Bureau (2022)
Frequently Asked Questions About Winthrop
What is the population of Winthrop?
Winthrop has a population of 1,081 residents and is located in Iowa. The population density is 1,368 people per square mile, spread across 0.8 square miles. The median age of residents is 37.5 years. The population is 45.2% female and 54.8% male.
Is Winthrop expensive to live in?
Winthrop is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 87.8 / below the baseline of 100. The median household income is $64,904, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $149,200 (47% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,000 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.3x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
What is the weather like in Winthrop?
Winthrop has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winter temperatures average 17°F in January, while summers reach an average of 72°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 37.4 inches, with 33.9 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Winthrop?
The job market in Winthrop is very strong, with unemployment at just 0.7% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $962. There are 638 business establishments in the area, including 37 restaurants and food service locations. The average commute time is 22 minutes, and 9.6% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Winthrop?
The median home value in Winthrop is $149,200. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $250,840. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,000. Fair market rent is $788 for a 1-bedroom and $989 for a 2-bedroom apartment. The homeownership rate is 79.2%. The average annual property tax is $3,750.
How are the schools in Winthrop?
Schools in Winthrop score 5.7 out of 10 on standardized testing, near the national average. 21.0% of adults in Winthrop hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.4% have completed high school. 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.
How healthy is Winthrop?
The obesity rate in Winthrop is 38.7% (above the national rate of 32.1%). 17.0% of adults are smokers. 23.9% are physically inactive. 22.5% of residents report depression. 1.3% lack health insurance (below the national rate). 67.1% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The primary care physician ratio is 1:2,582.
What is transportation like in Winthrop?
The average commute in Winthrop is 22 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 70% of workers drive alone to work, and 9.6% work from home.
What are the demographics of Winthrop?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Winthrop is 97.4% White, 1.5% Hispanic or Latino. 98.2% of residents speak only English at home. 7.2% of the population are military veterans. 14.5% of residents have a disability. 98.7% have health insurance coverage.