1st Advantage Mortgage30% of Osceola County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $69,239 (ACS 2020-24). 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
- First look: Osceola County, IA
- Renting and owning in Osceola County
- How Osceola County ranks in Iowa
- How Osceola County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Osceola County
- Towns and communities in Osceola County
- The counties around Osceola County
- Debt-to-income, Osceola County edition
- What the numbers mean for Osceola County borrowers
- More Osceola County figures
- A Osceola County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Iowa
- Other Iowa guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Osceola County, IA
With an estimated 6,100 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Osceola County ranks 95th of 99 in Iowa for population. Spread over 399 square miles, that works out to roughly 15.3 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Osceola County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Sibley (2,803 people) heads the county's list of 5 Census places, 5 incorporated and 0 census-designated. Census margins of error grow as populations shrink; for a county of 6,100, read each figure as a range.
Renting and owning in Osceola County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $797 in Osceola County versus $972 statewide. By the Census definition, 53% of Osceola County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $122,600, or 1.8 years of median income. Homeowners 78%, renters 22%. Half the housing stock was built before 1955.
| Housing | Osceola County | Iowa statewide | Osceola County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $797/mo | $972/mo | 18% lower |
| Median home value | $122,600 | $208,000 | 41% lower |
| Owners | 78% | 72% | +6.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 44% | +9.4 pts |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 20% | -3.0 pts |
| Mobile homes | 0.2% | 3.2% | -2.9 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Osceola 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. 53% of Osceola County renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
How Osceola County ranks in Iowa
Ranked against the other 98 county-level areas in Iowa, these are the Osceola County figures furthest from the middle.
- Osceola County ranks the lowest of 99 Iowa counties for the share of mobile homes: 0.2%, against 3.2% statewide. Site-built housing dominates, which matters for equity-based credit.
- Households without a vehicle: 1.4% in Osceola County, the lowest of 99 in Iowa. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
- On the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent, Osceola County sits near the top of Iowa at 53%, 4th highest of 99. Rent pressure leaves little room; stress-test any payment.
- Few Iowa counties match Osceola County on population: 6,100 here, 3,210,507 for the state, ranking 5th lowest of 99. In a small county, the nearest lender may not be the best; compare online offers too.
How Osceola County residents earn a living
Education and health care (19%), manufacturing (17%) and agriculture, forestry and mining (15%) lead Osceola County's job mix. Compared with Iowa, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (15% against 4%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.4% in Osceola County. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 7%; under 15 minutes: 51%. 1.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Osceola County share | +/- vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.2% | -5.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.4% | +2.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.6% | +10.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +1.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.6% | -2.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.6% | +1.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Paychecks and income spread in Osceola County
At $69,239, the typical Osceola County household income is 5% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 58th among Iowa's 99 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Osceola County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.7% | +4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.3% | +1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.9% | -3.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.1% | -2.4 pts |
26% under $35,000 and 30% at $100,000 or more: that is the Osceola County income split. The poverty rate is 16.0%, 5 points higher than the state's 11.1%. None of these numbers decides a Osceola County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Towns and communities in Osceola County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Osceola County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 4,227 people, so roughly 31% of residents live outside any named place. No Osceola County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sibley | city | 2,803 | $55,070 | $774 | 6 mi |
| Ocheyedan | city | 511 | $79,500 | $723 | 6 mi |
| Ashton | city | 461 | $57,375 | $900 | 9 mi |
| Melvin | city | 230 | $65,417 | $538 | 6 mi |
| Harris | city | 222 | $53,911 | $950 | 11 mi |
The counties around Osceola County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (20 to 32 miles). Lyon County leads the group on income ($76,746), Clay County trails ($65,428), and Osceola County out-earns 3 of the six. Some neighbors are in Minnesota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Osceola County resident follows Iowa rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osceola County | - | $69,239 | $797/mo | 78% |
| O'Brien County, IA | 20 mi | $68,356 | $868/mo | 76% |
| Nobles County, MN | 22 mi | $66,101 | $896/mo | 74% |
| Dickinson County, IA | 22 mi | $75,432 | $922/mo | 77% |
| Lyon County, IA | 29 mi | $76,746 | $843/mo | 81% |
| Jackson County, MN | 32 mi | $75,743 | $787/mo | 80% |
| Clay County, IA | 32 mi | $65,428 | $811/mo | 73% |
Debt-to-income, Osceola County edition
Here is the Osceola County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,770 gross per month ($69,239 / 12)
- Median rent: $797, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,511 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Osceola County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
What the numbers mean for Osceola County borrowers
- Tight rental budgets. With 53% of Osceola County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
More Osceola County figures
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Osceola County | Gap to Iowa | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.7% | -14.7 pts | -5.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 12.6% | +5.9 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 5.8% | -5.5 pts | -2.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.0% | +4.9 pts | +2.8 pts |
| Median age | 43.1 | +4.5 yrs | +1.6 yrs |
| No vehicle | 1.4% | -4.0 pts | -4.0 pts |
| No health insurance | 8.0% | +3.0 pts | +0.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | -0.2 pts | -1.0 pts |
| Commute length | Osceola County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.2% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
A Osceola County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Osceola County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Iowa.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in Iowa
Osceola County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Iowa Division of Banking. If a Osceola County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. See the Iowa state guide for the statewide picture.
Other Iowa guides
Next step up from Osceola County:
Frequently asked questions
Is Osceola County a high-income county?
Its $69,239 median ranks 58th of 99 Iowa counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Can a Osceola County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $797 median rent and $5,770 median monthly income, rent alone uses 14%; add other debts before a new payment.
What are the biggest places in Osceola County?
By population: Sibley, Ocheyedan, Ashton, Melvin, Harris. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Can Osceola County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Iowa county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Where can someone in Osceola 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.