Palo Alto County, IA

Livability

directions_bike Bikeability 2/10
directions_run Walkability 2/10
directions_bus Transit 1/10
directions_car Commute 8/10
home Housing 9/10
visibility Safety 7/10
local_library Schools 9/10
local_airport Airports 4/10
school Colleges 2/10
accessibility Hospitals 6/10
directions_bike Bikeability
Not Bikeable. The area lacks biking infrastructure and has unsafe or impractical conditions for cyclists, requiring alternative transportation methods.
directions_run Walkability
Not Walkable. The area is heavily car-dependent, with almost no amenities within walking distance or pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
directions_car Commute
Convenient Commutes. Commutes are manageable, with reasonable travel times and access to reliable transportation options.
directions_bus Transit
Very Limited Access. The area has little to no public transportation infrastructure, making it difficult to travel without a personal vehicle.
home Housing
Relatively Affordable. Housing and rent are moderately priced, and the overall cost of living is manageable for the average household.
visibility Safety
Moderately Safe. The area experiences moderate crime levels; while safe in many aspects, some caution may be necessary.
local_airport Airports
Limited Accessibility. Getting to the airport requires significant travel time or effort. Not ideal for frequent travel.
accessibility Hospitals
Adequate Access. Healthcare facilities are available within a reasonable distance, but options may be limited in number or specialization.
school Colleges
Higher Education Desert. The area has little to no access to colleges, requiring significant travel or relocation for education.
local_library Schools
Academic Excellence. High-performing schools with excellent test scores, strong graduation rates, and consistent college readiness. These schools regularly exceed state standards.

Residents

Population
8,902 332.4M (US)
Median Age
41.5 yr 39 yr (US)
Family Households
58.3% 64% (US)
College-Educated
20.5% 35% (US)

Economy

Median Income
$68,963 $79K (US)
Above Poverty
88.7% 88% (US)
Average Commute
19 mi 29 mi (US)
Moved Recently
11.4% 13% (US)

Housing

Median Home
$119,300 $303K (US)
Median Expenses
$478 $612 (US)
Median Rent
$503 $1,165 (US)
Owner-Occupied
62.7% 58% (US)

Crime

Violent Crime Score

Likelihood of experiencing crime involving violence or threats.

How the Violent Crime Score here compares with other places

Iowa
3
United States
4

Property Crime Score

Likelihood of experiencing theft, burglary, or property damage.

How the Property Crime Score here compares with other places

Iowa
4
United States
4

Climate

Month Rain (in) Snow (in) Temp (°F)
Jan 1 8 15
Feb 1 6 20
Mar 2 6 32
Apr 3 2 46
May 4 0 58
Jun 5 0 68
Jul 4 0 72
Aug 4 0 70
Sep 3 0 61
Oct 2 0 48
Nov 1 4 33
Dec 1 8 19

Hazards

Blizzard

Inland Flood Risk

Tornado Risk

Politics

Historical Voting Patterns

This place leans red, with 43% of residents leaning left and 52% leaning right. However, Donald Trump carried the area by a wide margin in the 2016 presidential election.

Liberal (44%) (53%) Conservative

2016 Presidential Election Results

Donald Trump 65%
Hillary Clinton 31%
Other 4%

Related Legislative Districts

Congressional District 4, IA State Senate District 5, IA State House District 10, IA
See all legislative districts in this place

Schools

West Elementary School
3 miles, N • 4.6 star
Emmetsburg High School
3 miles, N • 4.6 star
Emmetsburg Middle School
3 miles, N • 3.7 star

Colleges

Iowa Lakes Community College
24 miles, N • 1.9 star
Buena Vista University
40 miles, SW • 2.3 star

Hospitals

Kossuth Regional Health Center
22 miles, SE • 4.1 star
Spencer Municipal Hospital
24 miles, NW • 4.1 star

Airports

Joe Foss Field
110 miles, NW • 1.4 star
Des Moines International Airport
118 miles, S • 2.3 star
Waterloo Regional Airport
120 miles, SE • 1 star