1st Advantage MortgageThe median Jones County household earns $73,531, and 12% of residents live below the poverty line. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Jones County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Who lives in Jones County
- The Jones County housing market in figures
- Paychecks and income spread in Jones County
- What stands out in Jones County
- The Jones County job picture
- Towns and communities in Jones County
- How Jones County compares with nearby counties
- $6,128 a month: the Jones County median budget
- What the numbers mean for Jones County borrowers
- Jones County households compared
- Verifying a lender from Jones County
- Steps before you apply in Jones County
- Other Iowa guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Jones County
Roughly 20,896 residents live in Jones County, Iowa, 29th by population among the state's 99 counties and county equivalents. Its 576 square miles average 36 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Metro area: Cedar Rapids, IA (OMB, 2023). Of the 10 Census places inside Jones County, Anamosa leads by population with about 5,629; 8 of the 10 are incorporated.
The Jones County housing market in figures
A typical Jones County rental runs $784 a month including utilities, which is 19% below Iowa. By the Census definition, 35% of Jones County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $184,800, about 2.5 times the median household income. In Jones County, 81% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Half the housing stock was built before 1970.
| Cost | Jones County | Iowa figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 81% | 72% | +8.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 44% | -8.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 20% | +3.3 pts |
| Median gross rent | $784/mo | $972/mo | 19% lower |
| Mobile homes | 5.1% | 3.2% | +1.9 pts |
| Median home value | $184,800 | $208,000 | 11% lower |
| Vacant units | 8% | 8% | -0.7 pts |
Because most Jones 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.
Paychecks and income spread in Jones County
At $73,531, the typical Jones County household income is 12% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 35th among Iowa's 99 county-level areas.
| Household income | Jones County | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.0% | -2.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.4% | +3.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.8% | +2.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.9% | -3.7 pts |
About 19% of households earn under $35,000, while 35% clear $100,000. Census counts 12.0% of Jones County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. Jones County scores 0.391 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. For a borrower in Jones County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
What stands out in Jones County
Out of every Iowa county, Jones County is most unusual on these measures.
- Jones County ranks 4th highest of 99 Iowa counties for the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 21%, against 8% statewide. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
- On households without a vehicle, Jones County sits near the bottom of Iowa at 3.0%, 9th lowest of 99. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
- Jones County ranks 15th highest of 99 Iowa counties for the share of workers who work from home: 11.9%, against 11.3% statewide. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
The Jones County job picture
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Jones County residents work in education and health care and 15% in manufacturing. Relative to Iowa (4%), agriculture, forestry and mining is 5 points bigger in Jones County (9%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 21% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Jones County workers | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.6% | -1.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.8% | +0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 11.3% | +4.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.7% | +5.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.1% | +1.0 pts |
Self-employed in Jones County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Towns and communities in Jones County
Places, by size: the top 10 of 10. Roughly 40% of Jones County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Incomes vary by place: $73,000 at the median in Wyoming, $51,932 in Olin. Median rent ranges from $722 in Monticello to $966 in Anamosa. Live in one of these Jones County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anamosa | city | 5,629 | $60,650 | $966 | 8 mi |
| Monticello | city | 4,071 | $70,015 | $722 | 8 mi |
| Olin | city | 830 | $51,932 | $788 | 9 mi |
| Wyoming | city | 525 | $73,000 | $930 | 7 mi |
| Oxford Junction | city | 461 | $37,969 | $768 | 13 mi |
| Martelle | city | 457 | $93,333 | $825 | 14 mi |
| Onslow | city | 284 | $65,313 | $1,250 | 5 mi |
| Stone City | CDP | 154 | $179,167 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Center Junction | CDP | 126 | $26,528 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Morley | city | 46 | $37,188 | n/a | 11 mi |
How Jones County compares with nearby counties
Cedar County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Clinton County, is 34 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Jones County; Cedar County is highest at $80,602 and Clinton County lowest at $66,981.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jones County | - | $73,531 | $784/mo | 81% |
| Cedar County, IA | 24 mi | $80,602 | $879/mo | 81% |
| Linn County, IA | 25 mi | $77,649 | $945/mo | 74% |
| Dubuque County, IA | 26 mi | $77,630 | $959/mo | 73% |
| Delaware County, IA | 27 mi | $74,989 | $764/mo | 80% |
| Jackson County, IA | 28 mi | $74,186 | $807/mo | 81% |
| Clinton County, IA | 34 mi | $66,981 | $850/mo | 75% |
$6,128 a month: the Jones County median budget
Jones County's $73,531 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,128 before taxes
- 13% goes to median rent ($784)
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,422 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Jones County's.
What the numbers mean for Jones County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Jones County borrowers.
- Commuter costs. 21% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Jones County households compared
In Jones County, 22% of adults have at least a four-year degree (31% in Iowa). About 4% go without health insurance.
| Jones County | vs Iowa | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.0% | -9.4 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Median age | 42.8 | +4.2 yrs | +1.3 yrs |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | -2.5 pts | -2.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 4.8% | -1.9 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.5% | -1.5 pts | -4.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | +0.9 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Work from home | 11.9% | +0.6 pts | +3.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 0.0 pts | -0.9 pts |
| Commute length | Jones County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.4% |
| 60+ min | 5.7% |
Verifying a lender from Jones County
Jones County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Iowa Division of Banking. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Iowa page has statewide figures to set beside Jones County's.
Steps before you apply in Jones County
Steps that save money for Jones County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Other Iowa guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is $73,531 a good income in Jones County?
It is the county median, so half of Jones County households earn more and half less; 35% earn $100,000 or more.
What is the median rent in Jones County, IA?
$784 a month, utilities included, or $9,408 a year.
What are the biggest places in Jones County?
By population: Anamosa, Monticello, Olin, Wyoming, Oxford Junction. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Jones County or elsewhere in Iowa, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Jones County residents?
The Iowa Division of Banking licenses consumer lenders in Iowa; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.