1st Advantage MortgageThe median Jasper County household earns $71,311, and 8% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Who lives in Jasper County
- What Jasper County households earn
- Jasper County housing compared with Iowa
- The Jasper County job picture
- Towns and communities in Jasper County
- Counties near Jasper County
- Budget math at the Jasper County median
- Who lives in Jasper County, in numbers
- Reading the Jasper County data as a borrower
- Licensing and complaints for Jasper County
- Four steps for Jasper County borrowers
- More guides for Jasper County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Jasper County
Roughly 37,954 residents live in Jasper County, Iowa, 17th by population among the state's 99 counties and county equivalents. It covers 730 square miles of land, or about 52 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Newton is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 15,700 people (41% of the county total).
What Jasper County households earn
The median household income in Jasper County is $71,311; statewide it is $75,059, so Jasper County runs 5% below Iowa as a whole.
| Household income | Jasper County | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.0% | -0.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.5% | +2.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.5% | -0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.0% | -1.6 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 34% clear $100,000. Census counts 8.3% of Jasper County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.444 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jasper County housing compared with Iowa
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $836 in Jasper County versus $972 statewide. By the Census definition, 47% of Jasper County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $186,300, a typical Jasper County house costs 2.6 times what the median household earns in a year. 72% of Jasper County households own their home and 28% rent. The median home was built in 1965, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Jasper County | Iowa statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $836/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $186,300 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.0% | 3.2% | n/a |
Because most Jasper County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The Jasper County job picture
The biggest employer of Jasper County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 20% of workers, followed by manufacturing (17%). The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 17% locally and 15% for Iowa. The survey's unemployment rate for Jasper County averages 5.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home. 4.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Jasper County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.8% | -4.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.2% | +2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -1.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +1.2 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.0% | +0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.5% | -0.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Jasper County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Towns and communities in Jasper County
Here are the 13 most populous of the county's 13 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 69% of Jasper County residents live in one of the 13. Sully has the highest median household income on the list ($90,189) and Kellogg the lowest ($36,944), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Lynnville ($631) and steepest in Baxter ($900). No Jasper County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 13.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | city | 15,700 | $57,771 | $819 | 1 mi |
| Colfax | city | 2,210 | $79,318 | $789 | 9 mi |
| Monroe | city | 2,120 | $80,375 | $817 | 12 mi |
| Prairie City | city | 1,711 | $78,295 | $800 | 11 mi |
| Baxter | city | 1,247 | $60,952 | $900 | 11 mi |
| Sully | city | 1,022 | $90,189 | $856 | 13 mi |
| Kellogg | city | 676 | $36,944 | $804 | 8 mi |
| Lynnville | city | 527 | $60,682 | $631 | 16 mi |
| Mingo | city | 328 | $71,000 | $734 | 13 mi |
| Oakland Acres | city | 191 | $103,000 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Lambs Grove | city | 181 | $93,750 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Reasnor | city | 152 | $69,063 | $1,125 | 8 mi |
| Valeria | city | 43 | $63,750 | n/a | 14 mi |
Counties near Jasper County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Jasper County's, from 25 to 33 miles away. Income ranges from $67,391 in Poweshiek County to $83,576 in Polk County; 3 of these neighbors top Jasper County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper County | - | $71,311 | $836/mo | 72% |
| Marion County, IA | 25 mi | $78,680 | $884/mo | 78% |
| Marshall County, IA | 25 mi | $73,315 | $885/mo | 75% |
| Polk County, IA | 27 mi | $83,576 | $1,149/mo | 67% |
| Poweshiek County, IA | 27 mi | $67,391 | $883/mo | 71% |
| Story County, IA | 32 mi | $69,685 | $1,018/mo | 56% |
| Mahaska County, IA | 33 mi | $70,940 | $793/mo | 68% |
Budget math at the Jasper County median
Jasper County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $71,311 a year is $5,943 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $836, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 40% cap, $2,377 total minus rent leaves $1,541
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Who lives in Jasper County, in numbers
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. 4.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Jasper County | Iowa | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.3 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.0% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.0% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.5% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.6% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.3% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.7% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Jasper County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.6% |
| 60+ min | 3.8% |
Reading the Jasper County data as a borrower
Based on the Jasper County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Rent squeeze. 47% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Licensing and complaints for Jasper County
Consumer lenders serving Jasper County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Iowa that is the Iowa Division of Banking. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Iowa guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Jasper County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Jasper County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Jasper County
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jasper County a high-income county?
Its $71,311 median ranks 48th of 99 Iowa counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Jasper County?
$836 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
I live in a small Jasper County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Newton, Colfax, Monroe, Prairie City, Baxter and 8 more.
Does living in Jasper County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Jasper County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Jasper 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.