Living in Ottumwa, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ottumwa · Census data 2020–2024
Ottumwa has 25,430 residents with a median age of 36.7. The median household income is $61,103 (19% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $106,300, the median rent is $921/month.
Ottumwa at a glance
- Population
- 25,430
- Median age
- 36.7State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $61,103State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $106,300State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $921/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 61.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20.8%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Ottumwa a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 49% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 19% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 17.2%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Ottumwa
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ottumwa the median home value is $106,300, 68% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $921 per month, which is 29.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,151 a month in housing costs.
Ottumwa median household income
The median household income in Ottumwa is $61,103 and the income per person is $30,586. 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Ottumwa: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 11,395
- Owner-occupied
- 61.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 38.3%
- Vacant
- 12.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1955
- Average household size
- 2.47
Ottumwa demographics
- Population
- 25,430
- Median age
- 36.7
- Under 18
- 24.7%
- 65 and older
- 16.2%
- Households
- 9,980
- Foreign-born
- 13.5%
- Veterans
- 4.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ottumwa ›
Education in Ottumwa
20.8% of adults 25 and older in Ottumwa have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 8.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ottumwa
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 4.3%
- Drive alone
- 77.1%
- Public transit
- 1.2%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.4%
Ottumwa vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottumwa | 25,430 | $61,103 | $106,300 | $921 |
| Agency | 435 | $67,813 | $157,300 | — |
| Kirkville | 266 | $58,750 | $93,300 | — |
| Blakesburg | 310 | $51,000 | $85,900 | $626 |
| Hedrick | 913 | $67,500 | $79,600 | $725 |
| Eldon | 726 | $47,917 | $60,600 | $692 |
| Fremont | 924 | $78,333 | $104,900 | $798 |
| Batavia | 536 | $56,250 | $111,600 | $1,021 |
| Martinsburg | 101 | $55,000 | $60,000 | — |
More for people moving to Ottumwa
Ottumwa ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ottumwa: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ottumwa, IA?
The median household income in Ottumwa is $61,103, 19% 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 Ottumwa?
The median home value in Ottumwa is $106,300, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Ottumwa?
The median gross rent in Ottumwa is $921 per month, about 29.3% of household income.
Is Ottumwa, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 49% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 19% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 17.2%.
What is the median age in Ottumwa?
The median age in Ottumwa is 36.7 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Ottumwa?
The average commute to work in Ottumwa is 18 minutes; 4.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ottumwa?
The unemployment rate in Ottumwa is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ottumwa?
20.8% of adults in Ottumwa 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: