Living in Baxter, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Baxter · Census data 2020–2024
Baxter has 1,247 residents with a median age of 33.9. The median household income is $60,952 (19% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $166,700, the median rent is $900/month.
Baxter is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Baxter at a glance
- Population
- 1,247
- Median age
- 33.9State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $60,952State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $166,700State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $900/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 74.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.6%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Baxter a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 20% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.4%.
Cons: Median household income 19% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 27 minutes; a poverty rate of 14.7%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Baxter
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Baxter the median home value is $166,700, 50% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $900 per month, which is 37.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,509 a month in housing costs.
Baxter median household income
The median household income in Baxter is $60,952 and the income per person is $30,929. 14.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Baxter: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 507
- Owner-occupied
- 74.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 25.6%
- Vacant
- 6.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 2.56
Baxter demographics
- Population
- 1,247
- Median age
- 33.9
- Under 18
- 30.6%
- 65 and older
- 20%
- Households
- 476
- Foreign-born
- 0.4%
- Veterans
- 8.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Baxter ›
Education in Baxter
17.6% of adults 25 and older in Baxter have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 6.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Baxter
- Unemployment rate
- 2.4%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 6.9%
- Drive alone
- 83.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 3.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 81.1%
Baxter vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter | 1,247 | $60,952 | $166,700 | $900 |
| Rhodes | 265 | $73,083 | $98,000 | $491 |
| Mingo | 328 | $71,000 | $144,300 | $734 |
| Melbourne | 804 | $71,667 | $155,400 | $756 |
| Lambs Grove | 181 | $93,750 | $200,000 | — |
| Collins | 533 | $67,500 | $159,200 | $862 |
| Newton | 15,700 | $57,771 | $153,700 | $819 |
| Colfax | 2,210 | $79,318 | $178,000 | $789 |
| Laurel | 278 | $61,250 | $103,100 | $666 |
More for people moving to Baxter
Baxter ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Baxter: FAQ
What is the median household income in Baxter, IA?
The median household income in Baxter is $60,952, 19% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Baxter?
The median home value in Baxter is $166,700, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Baxter?
The median gross rent in Baxter is $900 per month, about 37.4% of household income.
Is Baxter, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 20% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.4%. Minuses: median household income 19% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 27 minutes; a poverty rate of 14.7%.
What is the median age in Baxter?
The median age in Baxter is 33.9 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Baxter?
The average commute to work in Baxter is 27 minutes; 6.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Baxter?
The unemployment rate in Baxter is 2.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Baxter?
17.6% of adults in Baxter have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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