Living in Oelwein, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Oelwein · Census data 2020–2024
Oelwein has 5,834 residents with a median age of 42.4. The median household income is $46,653 (38% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $96,300, the median rent is $847/month.
Oelwein at a glance
- Population
- 5,834
- Median age
- 42.4State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $46,653State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $96,300State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $847/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 76.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.5%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Oelwein a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 54% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 38% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 7.6%; a poverty rate of 18.5%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Oelwein
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Oelwein the median home value is $96,300, 71% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $847 per month, which is 33.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,148 a month in housing costs.
Oelwein median household income
The median household income in Oelwein is $46,653 and the income per person is $30,388. 18.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Oelwein: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,884
- Owner-occupied
- 76.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 23.4%
- Vacant
- 9.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1950
- Average household size
- 2.18
Oelwein demographics
- Population
- 5,834
- Median age
- 42.4
- Under 18
- 22.5%
- 65 and older
- 23.1%
- Households
- 2,610
- Foreign-born
- 0.6%
- Veterans
- 11.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Oelwein ›
Education in Oelwein
17.5% of adults 25 and older in Oelwein have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 7.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Oelwein
- Unemployment rate
- 7.6%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 5.3%
- Drive alone
- 77.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 5.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.2%
Oelwein vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oelwein | 5,834 | $46,653 | $96,300 | $847 |
| Hazleton | 720 | $51,964 | $85,900 | $794 |
| Fairbank | 1,275 | $89,712 | $186,900 | $686 |
| Maynard | 471 | $55,583 | $132,100 | $629 |
| Westgate | 178 | $53,750 | $78,300 | $1,036 |
| Aurora | 214 | $62,656 | $128,300 | $975 |
| Fayette | 1,309 | $47,917 | $119,000 | $1,347 |
| Arlington | 427 | $38,958 | $112,000 | $560 |
| Dunkerton | 821 | $86,413 | $189,700 | $514 |
More for people moving to Oelwein
Oelwein ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Oelwein: FAQ
What is the median household income in Oelwein, IA?
The median household income in Oelwein is $46,653, 38% 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 Oelwein?
The median home value in Oelwein is $96,300, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Oelwein?
The median gross rent in Oelwein is $847 per month, about 33.8% of household income.
Is Oelwein, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 54% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 38% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 7.6%; a poverty rate of 18.5%.
What is the median age in Oelwein?
The median age in Oelwein is 42.4 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Oelwein?
The average commute to work in Oelwein is 23 minutes; 5.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Oelwein?
The unemployment rate in Oelwein is 7.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Oelwein?
17.5% of adults in Oelwein 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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