Living in Orleans, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Orleans · Census data 2020–2024
Orleans has 527 residents with a median age of 60.3. The median household income is $74,750 (about the same as the Iowa median), the median home value is $573,200.
Orleans is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Orleans at a glance
- Population
- 527
- Median age
- 60.3State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $74,750State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $573,200State: $208,000
- Homeowners
- 91.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 43.2%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Orleans a good place to live?
Pros: A poverty rate of 1.9%.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the Iowa median; home values 176% higher than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 8.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Orleans
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Orleans the median home value is $573,200, 72% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,990 a month in housing costs.
Orleans median household income
The median household income in Orleans is $74,750 and the income per person is $66,223. 1.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Orleans: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 625
- Owner-occupied
- 91.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 8.1%
- Vacant
- 56.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 1.93
56.3% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Orleans has many vacation and second homes.
Orleans demographics
- Population
- 527
- Median age
- 60.3
- Under 18
- 8.3%
- 65 and older
- 37%
- Households
- 273
- Foreign-born
- 7%
- Veterans
- 6.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Orleans ›
Education in Orleans
43.2% of adults 25 and older in Orleans have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Orleans
- Unemployment rate
- 8.4%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 5.7%
- Drive alone
- 89.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.9%
Orleans vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orleans | 527 | $74,750 | $573,200 | — |
| Spirit Lake | 5,518 | $65,720 | $215,100 | $911 |
| Okoboji | 969 | $73,000 | $299,300 | $942 |
| Arnolds Park | 922 | $86,833 | $438,900 | $485 |
| Superior | 111 | $75,625 | $82,900 | — |
| Wahpeton | 443 | $107,917 | $495,500 | $850 |
| Milford | 3,311 | $63,369 | $218,400 | $887 |
| West Okoboji | 418 | $66,250 | $593,800 | $2,000 |
| Terril | 290 | $43,889 | $95,500 | $625 |
More for people moving to Orleans
Orleans ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Orleans: FAQ
What is the median household income in Orleans, IA?
The median household income in Orleans is $74,750, about the same as 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 Orleans?
The median home value in Orleans is $573,200, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
Is Orleans, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: a poverty rate of 1.9%. Minuses: median household income about the same as the Iowa median; home values 176% higher than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 8.4%.
What is the median age in Orleans?
The median age in Orleans is 60.3 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Orleans?
The average commute to work in Orleans is 20 minutes; 5.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Orleans?
The unemployment rate in Orleans is 8.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Orleans?
43.2% of adults in Orleans 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.
Last updated: