1st Advantage MortgagePoweshiek County households have a median income of $67,391 and median rent of $883 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Getting oriented in Poweshiek County
- Income in Poweshiek County compared with Iowa
- What it costs to live in Poweshiek County
- Where Poweshiek County differs from the rest of Iowa
- Employment and commuting in Poweshiek County
- Counties near Poweshiek County
- Grinnell and the rest of Poweshiek County
- What a median Poweshiek County budget can carry
- Local borrowing considerations for Poweshiek County
- Age, degrees and coverage in Poweshiek County
- Licensing and complaints for Poweshiek County
- Checklist for Poweshiek County applicants
- More guides for Poweshiek County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Poweshiek County
With an estimated 18,545 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Poweshiek County ranks 37th of 99 in Iowa for population. Spread over 585 square miles, that works out to roughly 31.7 residents per square mile. Metro status: none; Poweshiek County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (10 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Grinnell, with about 9,505 residents, or 51% of the county.
Income in Poweshiek County compared with Iowa
Median household income in Poweshiek County: $67,391 (10% below Iowa, $75,059).
| Yearly household income | Poweshiek County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.4% | +3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.2% | -0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.4% | -1.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.0% | -1.6 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. Census counts 10.7% of Poweshiek County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Poweshiek County median.
What it costs to live in Poweshiek County
Half of Poweshiek County renters pay more than $883 a month and half pay less; the Iowa midpoint is $972. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 40% in Poweshiek County, 44% statewide. Home values center on $209,300, or 3.1 years of median income. 71% of Poweshiek County households own their home and 29% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1971. Against the median U.S. county, Poweshiek County rent is about level with.
| Housing | Poweshiek County | Iowa statewide | Poweshiek County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 27% | 20% | +6.2 pts |
| Vacant units | 13% | 8% | +4.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 44% | -3.9 pts |
| Median gross rent | $883/mo | $972/mo | 9% lower |
| Mobile homes | 3.8% | 3.2% | +0.6 pts |
| Owners | 71% | 72% | -0.5 pts |
| Median home value | $209,300 | $208,000 | level |
Where Poweshiek County differs from the rest of Iowa
Ranked against the other 98 county-level areas in Iowa, these are the Poweshiek County figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Iowa counties match Poweshiek County on the share of workers who work from home: 14.0% here, 11.3% for the state, ranking 7th highest of 99. Remote and self-employed income may need tax returns as proof.
- Households without a vehicle: 7.2% in Poweshiek County. Only 10 of 99 Iowa counties are higher. Car-free households may need loans less for repairs but more for moves.
- Few Iowa counties match Poweshiek County on homeownership: 71% here, 72% for the state, ranking 19th lowest of 99. In a renter-heavy county, unsecured loans and cards are the main options.
Employment and commuting in Poweshiek County
By the Census industry count, 32% of employed Poweshiek County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. Education and health care stands out: 32% of workers here, versus 24% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.6% in Poweshiek County. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 11%; under 15 minutes: 57%.
| Sector | Poweshiek County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 31.6% | +7.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.7% | +2.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -1.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.3% | -0.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 5.6% | +1.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.5% | +0.4 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Poweshiek County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Counties near Poweshiek County
Distances run center to center, from Iowa County at 24 miles out to Marshall County at 34. Income ranges from $62,329 in Keokuk County to $73,315 in Marshall County; 5 of these neighbors top Poweshiek County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poweshiek County | - | $67,391 | $883/mo | 71% |
| Iowa County, IA | 24 mi | $71,223 | $686/mo | 77% |
| Mahaska County, IA | 25 mi | $70,940 | $793/mo | 68% |
| Tama County, IA | 27 mi | $70,781 | $872/mo | 76% |
| Jasper County, IA | 27 mi | $71,311 | $836/mo | 72% |
| Keokuk County, IA | 31 mi | $62,329 | $828/mo | 81% |
| Marshall County, IA | 34 mi | $73,315 | $885/mo | 75% |
Grinnell and the rest of Poweshiek County
The table lists the 11 largest of 11 Census places in Poweshiek County, by population. Together all 11 hold about 14,704 people, so roughly 21% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $74,000 at the median in Victor, $65,320 in Grinnell. Rent is cheapest in Victor ($717) and steepest in Grinnell ($895). From Grinnell to the smallest crossroads, Poweshiek County residents share this guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grinnell | city | 9,505 | $65,320 | $895 | 11 mi |
| Brooklyn | city | 1,459 | $73,438 | $832 | 5 mi |
| Montezuma | city | 1,410 | $65,660 | $858 | 7 mi |
| Victor | city | 987 | $74,000 | $717 | 12 mi |
| Holiday Lake | CDP | 397 | $82,868 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Deep River | city | 335 | $83,125 | $481 | 11 mi |
| Malcom | city | 221 | $76,750 | $638 | 2 mi |
| Barnes City | city | 117 | $82,500 | $525 | 13 mi |
| Hartwick | city | 114 | $83,750 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Searsboro | city | 109 | $66,250 | $967 | 12 mi |
| Guernsey | city | 50 | $70,833 | $850 | 9 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
What a median Poweshiek County budget can carry
Poweshiek County's $67,391 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,616 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $883, takes 16% of that
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,363 a month
Homeowners in Poweshiek County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Local borrowing considerations for Poweshiek County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Poweshiek County borrowers.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Poweshiek County borrower sees (free reports).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Age, degrees and coverage in Poweshiek County
College graduates make up 27% of the adult population. Uninsured, Poweshiek County: 3.9%; Iowa: 5.0%.
| Poweshiek County | vs Iowa | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.3% | -4.1 pts | +5.2 pts |
| Work from home | 14.0% | +2.7 pts | +5.3 pts |
| Median age | 41.0 | +2.4 yrs | -0.5 yrs |
| No vehicle | 7.2% | +1.8 pts | +1.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.1% | -1.6 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.9% | -1.1 pts | -4.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 10.7% | -0.3 pts | -2.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | +0.1 pts | -0.8 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Poweshiek County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 57.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.2% |
| 60+ min | 7.3% |
Licensing and complaints for Poweshiek County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Poweshiek County borrowers answers to the Iowa Division of Banking. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Iowa: Iowa personal loans.
Checklist for Poweshiek County applicants
Quick steps for Poweshiek County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Iowa.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Poweshiek County
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Poweshiek County household make?
About $67,391 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 10% below the Iowa median.
How does Poweshiek County rent compare with Iowa?
$883 locally versus $972 for the state, 9% below.
I own my home in Poweshiek County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 71% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Poweshiek County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Grinnell, Brooklyn, Montezuma, Victor, Holiday Lake and 6 more.
Is the fit check different in Poweshiek County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.