Living in Jamaica, Iowa

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

Jamaica has 189 residents with a median age of 37.5. The median household income is $52,250 (30% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $67,000, the median rent is $498/month.

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

Jamaica at a glance

Population
189
Median age
37.5State: 38.6
Median household income
$52,250State: $75,059
Median home value
$67,000State: $208,000
Median rent
$498/moState: $972
Homeowners
69.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher
14.7%
Average commute
38 min

Is Jamaica a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 68% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.1%.

Cons: Median household income 30% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 38 minutes; a poverty rate of 23.5%.

The weather is best in June to September.

Cost of living in Jamaica

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Jamaica the median home value is $67,000, 80% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $498 per month, which is 15.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $913 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Jamaica$67,000
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Jamaica$498
Iowa$972
United States$1,413

Jamaica median household income

The median household income in Jamaica is $52,250 and the income per person is $32,662. 23.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).

Median household income

Jamaica$52,250
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734

Housing in Jamaica: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
101
Owner-occupied
69.1%
Renter-occupied
30.9%
Vacant
6.9%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1938
Average household size
2.01

Jamaica demographics

Population
189
Median age
37.5
Under 18
26.5%
65 and older
16.4%
Households
94
Foreign-born
1.1%
Veterans
9.4%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White98.4%
Hispanic or Latino2.6%
Black0%
Asian0%

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

Education in Jamaica

14.7% of adults 25 and older in Jamaica have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 1.7% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Jamaica14.7%
Iowa31.4%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Jamaica

Unemployment rate
3.1%State: 3.6%
Average commute
38 minState: 20 min
Work from home
2.2%
Drive alone
82.2%
Public transit
0%
Walk to work
2.2%
Homes with broadband
86.2%

Jamaica vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Jamaica189$52,250$67,000$498
Dawson102$65,313$92,500—
Yale405$54,464$80,800$775
Bagley223$38,906$80,000$592
Rippey196$65,000$56,800$693
Lake Panorama928$126,563$388,600—
Perry7,985$68,910$121,400$931
Panora1,579$66,339$182,000$1,040
Jefferson4,152$58,895$155,800$754

More for people moving to Jamaica

Jamaica ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Jamaica: FAQ

What is the median household income in Jamaica, IA?

The median household income in Jamaica is $52,250, 30% 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 Jamaica?

The median home value in Jamaica is $67,000, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.

How much is rent in Jamaica?

The median gross rent in Jamaica is $498 per month, about 15.8% of household income.

Is Jamaica, IA a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 68% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.1%. Minuses: median household income 30% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 38 minutes; a poverty rate of 23.5%.

What is the median age in Jamaica?

The median age in Jamaica is 37.5 years (Iowa: 38.6).

How long is the commute in Jamaica?

The average commute to work in Jamaica is 38 minutes; 2.2% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Jamaica?

The unemployment rate in Jamaica is 3.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Jamaica?

14.7% of adults in Jamaica 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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