Living in Emerson, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Emerson · Census data 2020–2024
Emerson has 570 residents with a median age of 45.4. The median household income is $49,063 (35% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $119,500, the median rent is $1,034/month.
Emerson is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Emerson at a glance
- Population
- 570
- Median age
- 45.4State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $49,063State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $119,500State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $1,034/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 82.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 9.9%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Emerson a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 43% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 4.3%; a poverty rate of 15.1%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Emerson
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Emerson the median home value is $119,500, 64% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,034 per month, which is 19.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,188 a month in housing costs.
Emerson median household income
The median household income in Emerson is $49,063 and the income per person is $33,662. 15.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Emerson: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 282
- Owner-occupied
- 82.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 17.5%
- Vacant
- 12.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.32
Emerson demographics
- Population
- 570
- Median age
- 45.4
- Under 18
- 22.6%
- 65 and older
- 17%
- Households
- 246
- Foreign-born
- 1.6%
- Veterans
- 12.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Emerson ›
Education in Emerson
9.9% of adults 25 and older in Emerson have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 1.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Emerson
- Unemployment rate
- 4.3%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 5.7%
- Drive alone
- 83.8%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.7%
Emerson vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson | 570 | $49,063 | $119,500 | $1,034 |
| Hastings | 164 | $84,375 | $90,700 | — |
| Henderson | 143 | $54,375 | $77,500 | — |
| Red Oak | 5,510 | $50,109 | $99,700 | $812 |
| Malvern | 1,323 | $84,223 | $174,700 | $839 |
| Macedonia | 249 | $71,042 | $155,500 | $775 |
| Randolph | 235 | $46,500 | $90,500 | $1,094 |
| Essex | 854 | $58,095 | $89,900 | $598 |
| Silver City | 504 | $67,250 | $156,800 | $1,188 |
More for people moving to Emerson
Emerson ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Emerson: FAQ
What is the median household income in Emerson, IA?
The median household income in Emerson is $49,063, 35% 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 Emerson?
The median home value in Emerson is $119,500, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Emerson?
The median gross rent in Emerson is $1,034 per month, about 19.2% of household income.
Is Emerson, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 43% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 4.3%; a poverty rate of 15.1%.
What is the median age in Emerson?
The median age in Emerson is 45.4 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Emerson?
The average commute to work in Emerson is 27 minutes; 5.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Emerson?
The unemployment rate in Emerson is 4.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Emerson?
9.9% of adults in Emerson 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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