Living in Early, Iowa

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Early · Census data 2020–2024

Early has 869 residents with a median age of 35.3. The median household income is $91,370 (22% higher than the Iowa median), the median home value is $90,300, the median rent is $620/month.

Early is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.

Early at a glance

Population
869
Median age
35.3State: 38.6
Median household income
$91,370State: $75,059
Median home value
$90,300State: $208,000
Median rent
$620/moState: $972
Homeowners
68.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher
12.5%
Average commute
22 min

Is Early a good place to live?

Pros: Median household income 22% higher than the Iowa median; home values 57% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 8.8%.

Cons: An average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 11.5%.

The weather is best in June to September.

Cost of living in Early

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Early the median home value is $90,300, 73% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $620 per month, which is 10% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,066 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Early$90,300
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Early$620
Iowa$972
United States$1,413

Early median household income

The median household income in Early is $91,370 and the income per person is $39,682. 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).

Median household income

Early$91,370
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734

Housing in Early: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
384
Owner-occupied
68.7%
Renter-occupied
31.3%
Vacant
12.8%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1948
Average household size
2.59

Early demographics

Population
869
Median age
35.3
Under 18
24.3%
65 and older
12%
Households
335
Foreign-born
6.7%
Veterans
11.7%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White87.9%
Hispanic or Latino10.2%
Black4.4%
Asian0%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Early ›

Education in Early

12.5% of adults 25 and older in Early have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 2.3% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Early12.5%
Iowa31.4%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Early

Unemployment rate
11.5%State: 3.6%
Average commute
22 minState: 20 min
Work from home
1.2%
Drive alone
90.8%
Public transit
0%
Walk to work
1.4%
Homes with broadband
77.3%

Early vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Early869$91,370$90,300$620
Schaller775$66,510$71,500$756
Sac City1,885$57,139$136,000$669
Lakeside563$106,250$246,400$1,206
Odebolt945$65,417$98,800$660
Lake View967$68,618$175,600$742
Newell944$66,667$122,600$825
Storm Lake11,428$62,765$172,200$898
Arthur252$53,711$50,000$676

More for people moving to Early

Early ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Early: FAQ

What is the median household income in Early, IA?

The median household income in Early is $91,370, 22% higher 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 Early?

The median home value in Early is $90,300, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.

How much is rent in Early?

The median gross rent in Early is $620 per month, about 10% of household income.

Is Early, IA a good place to live?

Pluses: median household income 22% higher than the Iowa median; home values 57% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 8.8%. Minuses: an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 11.5%.

What is the median age in Early?

The median age in Early is 35.3 years (Iowa: 38.6).

How long is the commute in Early?

The average commute to work in Early is 22 minutes; 1.2% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Early?

The unemployment rate in Early is 11.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Early?

12.5% of adults in Early 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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