1st Advantage MortgageThe median Montgomery County household earns $63,666, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Iowa license first.
On this page
- Montgomery County at a glance
- Housing costs in Montgomery County
- Paychecks and income spread in Montgomery County
- Employment and commuting in Montgomery County
- Montgomery County towns compared
- Counties near Montgomery County
- Debt-to-income at Montgomery County's medians
- Who lives in Montgomery County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Montgomery County
- Lender oversight for Montgomery County
- A Montgomery County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Montgomery County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Montgomery County's population at 10,214; only 71 of Iowa's 99 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 424 square miles, that works out to roughly 24.1 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Montgomery County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (6 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Red Oak, with about 5,510 residents, or 54% of the county.
Housing costs in Montgomery County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $814 in Montgomery County versus $972 statewide. 53% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 34% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $121,400, about 1.9 times the median household income. 69% of Montgomery County households own their home and 31% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1959.
| Housing | Montgomery County | Iowa statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $814/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $121,400 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.8% | 3.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 8% | 8% | n/a |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Paychecks and income spread in Montgomery County
At $63,666, the typical Montgomery County household income is 3% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 80 Iowa counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Montgomery County | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.9% | +7.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.6% | -0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.6% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.0% | -5.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Montgomery County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. Census counts 15.3% of Montgomery County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.472 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $63,666 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Montgomery County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Montgomery County residents work in education and health care and 16% in manufacturing. Compared with Iowa, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (9% against 4%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.6% in Montgomery County. About 78% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 4.0% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Top industries | Montgomery County share | +/- vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.5% | -2.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +0.7 pts |
| Construction | 9.5% | +2.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.0% | +5.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.1% | 0.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Montgomery County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Montgomery County towns compared
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Montgomery County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 7,571 people, so roughly 26% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $66,667 at the median in Stanton, $50,109 in Red Oak. Rent is cheapest in Villisca ($714) and steepest in Red Oak ($812). No Montgomery County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Oak | city | 5,510 | $50,109 | $812 | 4 mi |
| Villisca | city | 1,048 | $60,465 | $714 | 11 mi |
| Stanton | city | 522 | $66,667 | $750 | 4 mi |
| Elliott | city | 420 | $50,625 | $725 | 9 mi |
| Coburg | city | 36 | $33,750 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Grant | city | 35 | $68,125 | n/a | 12 mi |
Counties near Montgomery County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Montgomery County's, from 20 to 30 miles away. Mills County leads the group on income ($90,753), Page County trails ($57,953), and Montgomery County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | - | $63,666 | $814/mo | 69% |
| Page County, IA | 20 mi | $57,953 | $705/mo | 71% |
| Adams County, IA | 24 mi | $71,875 | $893/mo | 77% |
| Mills County, IA | 24 mi | $90,753 | $959/mo | 84% |
| Cass County, IA | 25 mi | $63,013 | $777/mo | 72% |
| Pottawattamie County, IA | 30 mi | $73,602 | $1,018/mo | 70% |
| Fremont County, IA | 30 mi | $71,621 | $746/mo | 78% |
Debt-to-income at Montgomery County's medians
How much room does a median Montgomery County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $5,306 gross per month ($63,666 / 12)
- 15% goes to median rent ($814)
- Under a 43% cap, $2,281 total minus rent leaves $1,467
Two-income households and single earners in Montgomery County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who lives in Montgomery County, in numbers
20% of Montgomery County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 3.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Montgomery County | Iowa statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.4% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.3% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.7% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.0% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.3% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Montgomery County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 48.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.4% |
| 60+ min | 13.4% |
Local borrowing considerations for Montgomery County
A few patterns in the Montgomery County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Keeping the car running. At 19% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Montgomery County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Rent squeeze. 53% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Lender oversight for Montgomery County
Consumer lenders serving Montgomery 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. Statewide data and rules: Iowa guide.
A Montgomery County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Montgomery County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Montgomery County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Iowa license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Montgomery County earn?
The median is $63,666; 29% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Montgomery County rent compare with Iowa?
$814 locally versus $972 for the state, 16% below.
Does this page cover Red Oak?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Montgomery County, such as Villisca, Stanton, Elliott.
Is the fit check different in Montgomery County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Montgomery 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.