1st Advantage MortgageThe median Hamilton County household earns $72,432, and 7% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Iowa before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Hamilton County
- Paychecks and income spread in Hamilton County
- What it costs to live in Hamilton County
- Jobs and commutes in Hamilton County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Hamilton County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- People and households in Hamilton County
- Reading the Hamilton County data as a borrower
- A Hamilton County household budget, worked through
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Hamilton County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Hamilton County
Hamilton County is home to about 14,886 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 51st most populous of 99 county-level areas in Iowa. Spread over 577 square miles, that works out to roughly 25.8 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Hamilton County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 9 Census places inside Hamilton County, Webster City leads by population with about 7,769; 9 of the 9 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in Hamilton County
Half of Hamilton County households take in less than $72,432 a year and half take in more, 3% below the Iowa median of $75,059.
| Income band | Share in Hamilton County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.9% | +0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.9% | +2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.9% | -2.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.3% | -0.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 33% of Hamilton County households make $100,000 or more, and 22% make less than $35,000. 7.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.1%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.438 here. A household earning below the $72,432 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
What it costs to live in Hamilton County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $877 in Hamilton County versus $972 statewide. 32% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 17% spend half or more. With a median value of $156,400, a typical Hamilton County house costs 2.2 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 73% of homes.
| Cost | Hamilton County | Iowa figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $877/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $156,400 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.6% | 3.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 8% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Hamilton County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Jobs and commutes in Hamilton County
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 19%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 8% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Hamilton County averages 4.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). About 84% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 4.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Hamilton County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.0% | -1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.8% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +1.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +1.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.3% | +4.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.3% | +0.2 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Hamilton County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Hamilton County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 11,374 residents, leaving about 24% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $81,250 at the median in Jewell Junction, $47,875 in Stratford. No Hamilton County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webster City | city | 7,769 | $63,430 | $907 | 7 mi |
| Jewell Junction | city | 1,084 | $81,250 | $906 | 7 mi |
| Stratford | city | 735 | $47,875 | $588 | 14 mi |
| Stanhope | city | 509 | $60,750 | $547 | 8 mi |
| Ellsworth | city | 482 | $77,500 | $875 | 9 mi |
| Williams | city | 369 | $55,417 | $704 | 11 mi |
| Kamrar | city | 145 | $48,750 | $443 | 1 mi |
| Randall | city | 142 | $72,321 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Blairsburg | city | 139 | $81,250 | n/a | 7 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 24 to 33 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $59,894 in Franklin County to $83,531 in Boone County; 1 of these neighbors top Hamilton County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton County | - | $72,432 | $877/mo | 73% |
| Wright County, IA | 24 mi | $67,190 | $790/mo | 77% |
| Hardin County, IA | 24 mi | $65,069 | $795/mo | 74% |
| Webster County, IA | 24 mi | $68,975 | $785/mo | 70% |
| Boone County, IA | 27 mi | $83,531 | $845/mo | 80% |
| Story County, IA | 27 mi | $69,685 | $1,018/mo | 56% |
| Franklin County, IA | 33 mi | $59,894 | $696/mo | 72% |
People and households in Hamilton County
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Hamilton County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.8% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.6% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.7% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.1% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.4% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Hamilton County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.9% |
| 60+ min | 6.5% |
Reading the Hamilton County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Hamilton County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Hamilton County borrower sees (free reports).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Hamilton County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
A Hamilton County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Hamilton County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,036 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $877, takes 15% of that
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,236 a month
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,839 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Hamilton County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Hamilton County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Hamilton County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Hamilton County credit union about member loans.
Who licenses lenders for Hamilton County residents
The Iowa Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Iowa license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Iowa guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Hamilton County?
$72,432 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $75,059 for Iowa. It ranks 41st of 99 in the state.
What do renters pay in Hamilton County?
$877 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
Does this page cover Webster City?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Hamilton County, such as Jewell Junction, Stratford, Stanhope.
Will a Hamilton County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Iowa as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Hamilton County check a lender's license?
With the Iowa Division of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.