1st Advantage MortgageCalhoun County households have a median income of $64,964 and median rent of $723 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Calhoun County
- Work, industries and travel time in Calhoun County
- Household income in Calhoun County
- What it costs to live in Calhoun County
- Calhoun County towns compared
- Calhoun County and the counties next door
- A Calhoun County household budget, worked through
- Who lives in Calhoun County, in numbers
- Reading the Calhoun County data as a borrower
- Who licenses lenders for Calhoun County residents
- A Calhoun County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Calhoun County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Calhoun County
Roughly 9,803 residents live in Calhoun County, Iowa, 75th by population among the state's 99 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 570 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 17 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Calhoun County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 13 Census places inside Calhoun County, Rockwell City leads by population with about 2,401; 12 of the 13 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Calhoun County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Work, industries and travel time in Calhoun County
The biggest employer of Calhoun County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 28% of workers, followed by manufacturing (12%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Calhoun County averages 2.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Where residents work | Calhoun County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.0% | +3.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.1% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +0.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 10.3% | +6.6 pts |
| Other services | 6.9% | +2.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.6% | +0.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Household income in Calhoun County
The median household income in Calhoun County is $64,964; statewide it is $75,059, so Calhoun County runs 13% below Iowa as a whole.
| Income band | Share in Calhoun County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.0% | +2.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.6% | +2.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.5% | -3.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.9% | -2.7 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. Census counts 9.3% of Calhoun County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. None of these numbers decides a Calhoun County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What it costs to live in Calhoun County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $723 in Calhoun County versus $972 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 35% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $118,800, about 1.8 times the median household income. Owners occupy 81% of homes. Median construction year: 1958.
| Calhoun County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $723/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $118,800 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.5% | 3.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 8% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Calhoun County towns compared
13 Census places fall mainly inside Calhoun County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 8,201 residents, leaving about 16% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $109,712 at the median in Twin Lakes, $53,542 in Pomeroy. Median rent ranges from $645 in Pomeroy to $796 in Rockwell City. Live in one of these Calhoun County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwell City | city | 2,401 | $56,741 | $796 | 1 mi |
| Lake City | city | 1,693 | $74,167 | $763 | 9 mi |
| Manson | city | 1,645 | $66,250 | $714 | 11 mi |
| Twin Lakes | CDP | 579 | $109,712 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Pomeroy | city | 542 | $53,542 | $645 | 12 mi |
| Farnhamville | city | 386 | $57,188 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Lytton | city | 357 | $62,708 | $683 | 11 mi |
| Lohrville | city | 277 | $46,250 | $439 | 9 mi |
| Somers | city | 149 | $52,750 | $831 | 11 mi |
| Knierim | city | 76 | $89,000 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Rinard | city | 62 | $69,375 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Jolley | city | 19 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Yetter | city | 15 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Calhoun County and the counties next door
Distances run center to center, from Sac County at 24 miles out to Buena Vista County at 35. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Calhoun County; Sac County is highest at $73,838 and Pocahontas County lowest at $61,875.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County | - | $64,964 | $723/mo | 81% |
| Sac County, IA | 24 mi | $73,838 | $722/mo | 78% |
| Webster County, IA | 24 mi | $68,975 | $785/mo | 70% |
| Pocahontas County, IA | 24 mi | $61,875 | $832/mo | 77% |
| Carroll County, IA | 27 mi | $72,930 | $731/mo | 77% |
| Greene County, IA | 27 mi | $63,409 | $781/mo | 76% |
| Buena Vista County, IA | 35 mi | $71,719 | $894/mo | 73% |
A Calhoun County household budget, worked through
Calhoun County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Calhoun County: $5,414
- Less median rent of $723, which is 13% of it
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,442 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Who lives in Calhoun County, in numbers
Degree holders: 22% of adults over 25. 4.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Calhoun County | Iowa | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.8 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.8% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.1% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.4% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.6% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.3% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Calhoun County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.1% |
| 60+ min | 4.6% |
Reading the Calhoun County data as a borrower
What the Calhoun County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Who licenses lenders for Calhoun County residents
The Iowa Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Iowa license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Iowa state guide for the statewide picture.
A Calhoun County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Calhoun County:
- Price the Calhoun County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Iowa license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
More guides for Calhoun County
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Calhoun County household make?
About $64,964 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 13% below the Iowa median.
How much is rent in Calhoun County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $723 a month; 35% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Calhoun County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 81% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Calhoun County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Rockwell City, Lake City, Manson, Twin Lakes, Pomeroy and 8 more.
Are Calhoun County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.