Living in Thompson, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Thompson · Census data 2020–2024
Thompson has 459 residents with a median age of 58.6. The median household income is $61,250 (18% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $95,700, the median rent is $733/month.
Thompson is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Thompson at a glance
- Population
- 459
- Median age
- 58.6State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $61,250State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $95,700State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $733/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 81.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 37.2%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Thompson a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 54% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 7.5%.
Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 4.3%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Thompson
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Thompson the median home value is $95,700, 71% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $733 per month, which is 27.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $981 a month in housing costs.
Thompson median household income
The median household income in Thompson is $61,250 and the income per person is $45,362. 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Thompson: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 314
- Owner-occupied
- 81.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 18.7%
- Vacant
- 14.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1956
- Average household size
- 1.71
Thompson demographics
- Population
- 459
- Median age
- 58.6
- Under 18
- 12%
- 65 and older
- 33.1%
- Households
- 268
- Foreign-born
- 1.1%
- Veterans
- 5.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Thompson ›
Education in Thompson
37.2% of adults 25 and older in Thompson have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 5.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Thompson
- Unemployment rate
- 4.3%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 6.5%
- Drive alone
- 78.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 5.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.8%
Thompson vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson | 459 | $61,250 | $95,700 | $733 |
| Leland | 306 | $52,500 | $92,900 | $789 |
| Buffalo Center | 911 | $52,917 | $100,500 | $640 |
| Crystal Lake | 283 | $66,875 | $100,300 | $911 |
| Forest City | 4,290 | $69,205 | $143,500 | $720 |
| Rake | 190 | $42,386 | $49,000 | $650 |
| Woden | 219 | $50,000 | $76,000 | $967 |
| Kiester | 494 | $52,727 | $58,800 | $820 |
| Lake Mills | 2,088 | $61,875 | $122,600 | $624 |
More for people moving to Thompson
Thompson ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Thompson: FAQ
What is the median household income in Thompson, IA?
The median household income in Thompson is $61,250, 18% 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 Thompson?
The median home value in Thompson is $95,700, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Thompson?
The median gross rent in Thompson is $733 per month, about 27.5% of household income.
Is Thompson, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 54% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 7.5%. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 4.3%.
What is the median age in Thompson?
The median age in Thompson is 58.6 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Thompson?
The average commute to work in Thompson is 22 minutes; 6.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Thompson?
The unemployment rate in Thompson is 4.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Thompson?
37.2% of adults in Thompson 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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