1st Advantage MortgageIn Page County, Iowa, the typical household earns $57,953 a year and the typical rent is $705. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Page County
- Paychecks and income spread in Page County
- What it costs to live in Page County
- Jobs and commutes in Page County
- Places inside Page County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- What a median Page County budget can carry
- What the numbers mean for Page County borrowers
- Page County households compared
- Checklist for Page County applicants
- Lender oversight for Page County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Page County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Page County's population at 15,131; only 49 of Iowa's 99 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 535 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 28 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Page County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (9 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Clarinda, with about 5,353 residents, or 35% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Page County
Half of Page County households take in less than $57,953 a year and half take in more, 23% below the Iowa median of $75,059.
| Yearly household income | Page County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.8% | +11.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.2% | -1.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.6% | -5.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.4% | -4.2 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 13.8%, 3 points higher than the state's 11.1%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Page County median.
What it costs to live in Page County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $705 in Page County versus $972 statewide. By the Census definition, 41% of Page County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $125,300, about 2.2 times the median household income. 71% of Page County households own their home and 29% rent.
| Cost | Page County | Iowa figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $705/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $125,300 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.7% | 3.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 8% | n/a |
Jobs and commutes in Page County
The biggest employer of Page County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 24% of workers, followed by education and health care (24%). Compared with Iowa, the county leans toward manufacturing (24% against 15%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Page County workers | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.9% | +9.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 23.7% | -0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.0% | +2.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.5% | +5.7 pts |
| Public administration | 5.7% | +2.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.2% | -1.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Places inside Page County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 47% of Page County residents live in one of the 9. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarinda | city | 5,353 | $46,348 | $660 | 6 mi |
| Essex | city | 854 | $58,095 | $598 | 11 mi |
| Coin | city | 277 | $48,889 | $725 | 7 mi |
| Braddyville | city | 173 | $58,438 | $1,014 | 12 mi |
| College Springs | city | 171 | $72,888 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Shambaugh | city | 113 | $70,250 | $1,063 | 8 mi |
| Northboro | city | 90 | $56,875 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Yorktown | city | 57 | $83,750 | n/a | 1 mi |
| Blanchard | city | 33 | $56,250 | n/a | 12 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (20 to 30 miles). Adams County leads the group on income ($71,875), Atchison County trails ($58,750), and Page County out-earns 0 of the six. The list crosses into Missouri, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page County | - | $57,953 | $705/mo | 71% |
| Montgomery County, IA | 20 mi | $63,666 | $814/mo | 69% |
| Taylor County, IA | 23 mi | $67,740 | $765/mo | 78% |
| Fremont County, IA | 24 mi | $71,621 | $746/mo | 78% |
| Atchison County, MO | 26 mi | $58,750 | $631/mo | 77% |
| Nodaway County, MO | 29 mi | $59,315 | $786/mo | 62% |
| Adams County, IA | 30 mi | $71,875 | $893/mo | 77% |
What a median Page County budget can carry
Page County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $57,953 a year is $4,829 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $705 uses 15%
- At 35%, room after rent is $985 a month
- $1,468: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
What the numbers mean for Page County borrowers
Based on the Page County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Older households. A 45.1 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Page County households compared
College graduates make up 19% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 4.8%, against 5.0% for Iowa.
| Residents | Page County | Iowa | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.1 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.2% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.6% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.6% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.8% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Page County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 57.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.5% |
| 60+ min | 5.3% |
Checklist for Page County applicants
A short checklist for Page County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Page County-area credit union.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Page County credit union about member loans.
Lender oversight for Page County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Page County borrowers answers to the Iowa Division of Banking. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Iowa: Iowa personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Page County a high-income county?
Its $57,953 median ranks 97th of 99 Iowa counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Page County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $705 a month; 41% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Page County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% of Page County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Page County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 9 Census places: Clarinda, Essex, Coin, Braddyville, College Springs.
Can Page 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.