Living in Red Oak, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Red Oak · Census data 2020–2024
Red Oak has 5,510 residents with a median age of 40.2. The median household income is $50,109 (33% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $99,700, the median rent is $812/month.
Red Oak at a glance
- Population
- 5,510
- Median age
- 40.2State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $50,109State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $99,700State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $812/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 59.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.7%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Red Oak a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 52% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.9%.
Cons: Median household income 33% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 21 minutes; a poverty rate of 21.9%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Red Oak
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Red Oak the median home value is $99,700, 70% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $812 per month, which is 38.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $995 a month in housing costs.
Red Oak median household income
The median household income in Red Oak is $50,109 and the income per person is $28,822. 21.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Red Oak: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,671
- Owner-occupied
- 59.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.1%
- Vacant
- 8.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1963
- Average household size
- 2.20
Red Oak demographics
- Population
- 5,510
- Median age
- 40.2
- Under 18
- 24.4%
- 65 and older
- 18.5%
- Households
- 2,441
- Foreign-born
- 2.5%
- Veterans
- 7.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Red Oak ›
Education in Red Oak
17.7% of adults 25 and older in Red Oak have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 4.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Red Oak
- Unemployment rate
- 2.9%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 11%
- Drive alone
- 75.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.3%
Red Oak vs nearby towns
More for people moving to Red Oak
Red Oak ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Red Oak: FAQ
What is the median household income in Red Oak, IA?
The median household income in Red Oak is $50,109, 33% 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 Red Oak?
The median home value in Red Oak is $99,700, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Red Oak?
The median gross rent in Red Oak is $812 per month, about 38.4% of household income.
Is Red Oak, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 52% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.9%. Minuses: median household income 33% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 21 minutes; a poverty rate of 21.9%.
What is the median age in Red Oak?
The median age in Red Oak is 40.2 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Red Oak?
The average commute to work in Red Oak is 21 minutes; 11% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Red Oak?
The unemployment rate in Red Oak is 2.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Red Oak?
17.7% of adults in Red Oak 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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