Living in Storm Lake, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Storm Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Storm Lake has 11,428 residents with a median age of 30.9. The median household income is $62,765 (16% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $172,200, the median rent is $898/month.
Storm Lake at a glance
- Population
- 11,428
- Median age
- 30.9State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $62,765State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $172,200State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $898/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 66.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.9%
- Average commute
- 10 min
Is Storm Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 17% lower than the state median; an average commute of 10 minutes; a poverty rate of 7%.
Cons: Median household income 16% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 4.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Storm Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Storm Lake the median home value is $172,200, 48% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $898 per month, which is 21.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,373 a month in housing costs.
Storm Lake median household income
The median household income in Storm Lake is $62,765 and the income per person is $30,603. 7% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Storm Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,198
- Owner-occupied
- 66.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 33.7%
- Vacant
- 5.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1968
- Average household size
- 2.68
Storm Lake demographics
- Population
- 11,428
- Median age
- 30.9
- Under 18
- 27%
- 65 and older
- 12.5%
- Households
- 3,975
- Foreign-born
- 30.3%
- Veterans
- 2.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Storm Lake ›
Education in Storm Lake
18.9% of adults 25 and older in Storm Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 7.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Storm Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 4.4%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 10 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 4.3%
- Drive alone
- 68%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 6.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.1%
Storm Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Lake | 11,428 | $62,765 | $172,200 | $898 |
| Lakeside | 563 | $106,250 | $246,400 | $1,206 |
| Alta | 2,250 | $65,833 | $146,600 | $894 |
| Truesdale | 187 | $100,076 | $35,800 | $1,102 |
| Newell | 944 | $66,667 | $122,600 | $825 |
| Schaller | 775 | $66,510 | $71,500 | $756 |
| Rembrandt | 157 | $58,438 | $85,800 | $675 |
| Early | 869 | $91,370 | $90,300 | $620 |
| Aurelia | 991 | $71,500 | $139,900 | $780 |
More for people moving to Storm Lake
Storm Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Storm Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Storm Lake, IA?
The median household income in Storm Lake is $62,765, 16% 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 Storm Lake?
The median home value in Storm Lake is $172,200, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Storm Lake?
The median gross rent in Storm Lake is $898 per month, about 21.6% of household income.
Is Storm Lake, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 17% lower than the state median; an average commute of 10 minutes; a poverty rate of 7%. Minuses: median household income 16% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 4.4%.
What is the median age in Storm Lake?
The median age in Storm Lake is 30.9 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Storm Lake?
The average commute to work in Storm Lake is 10 minutes; 4.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Storm Lake?
The unemployment rate in Storm Lake is 4.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Storm Lake?
18.9% of adults in Storm Lake 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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