Living in Beacon, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Beacon · Census data 2020–2024
Beacon has 425 residents with a median age of 52.5. The median household income is $55,625 (26% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $77,900, the median rent is $650/month.
Beacon is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Beacon at a glance
- Population
- 425
- Median age
- 52.5State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $55,625State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $77,900State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $650/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 87.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 8%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Is Beacon a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 63% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.4%.
Cons: Median household income 26% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 32 minutes; a poverty rate of 20.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Beacon
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Beacon the median home value is $77,900, 77% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $650 per month, which is 18.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,175 a month in housing costs.
Beacon median household income
The median household income in Beacon is $55,625 and the income per person is $38,040. 20.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Beacon: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 205
- Owner-occupied
- 87.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 12.6%
- Vacant
- 2.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.14
Beacon demographics
- Population
- 425
- Median age
- 52.5
- Under 18
- 17.9%
- 65 and older
- 26.1%
- Households
- 199
- Foreign-born
- 1.2%
- Veterans
- 7.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Beacon ›
Education in Beacon
8% of adults 25 and older in Beacon have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 0.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Beacon
- Unemployment rate
- 1.4%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 32 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 3.9%
- Drive alone
- 76.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 76.9%
Beacon vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beacon | 425 | $55,625 | $77,900 | $650 |
| Oskaloosa | 11,504 | $64,004 | $153,300 | $831 |
| University Park | 645 | $74,167 | $113,100 | $739 |
| Leighton | 150 | $66,389 | $126,600 | $770 |
| Keomah Village | 123 | $79,688 | $200,000 | — |
| Eddyville | 1,163 | $61,480 | $104,200 | $591 |
| Bussey | 414 | $43,125 | $79,000 | $584 |
| Rose Hill | 300 | $82,917 | $67,900 | $1,047 |
| Harvey | 174 | $52,250 | $77,500 | $792 |
More for people moving to Beacon
Beacon ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Beacon: FAQ
What is the median household income in Beacon, IA?
The median household income in Beacon is $55,625, 26% 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 Beacon?
The median home value in Beacon is $77,900, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Beacon?
The median gross rent in Beacon is $650 per month, about 18.6% of household income.
Is Beacon, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 63% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.4%. Minuses: median household income 26% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 32 minutes; a poverty rate of 20.5%.
What is the median age in Beacon?
The median age in Beacon is 52.5 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Beacon?
The average commute to work in Beacon is 32 minutes; 3.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Beacon?
The unemployment rate in Beacon is 1.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Beacon?
8% of adults in Beacon 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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