City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Algona, IA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Algona - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

5,414
Residents
$52,542
Median income
$156,200
Median home
$919
Median rent (state)

Algona - the verdict

Nationally, Algona sits in the 24th percentile for household income and the 95th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

24th
percentile, household income
29th
percentile, home value
6th
percentile, median rent
95th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Algona, IA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 5,414 residents in Algona, a small town within Iowa. Algona households earn a median of $52,542 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 5.9%. Algona's housing stock carries a median value of $156,200, and the median resident age is 43.1 years. Educational attainment runs 23.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 83% from five years earlier. Algona reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 226.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 46.0°F with 34.1 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Iowa at 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $919 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Iowa's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). Workers in Algona report an average commute of 11.4 minutes, with 78.6% driving alone and 4.5% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 32.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

5,414 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$52,542 /yr

Poverty 5.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Algona compare to other US cities?

Where Algona sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 29% pricier than other cities
Median rent 6% pricier than other cities
Safety 95% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Iowa, Algona ranks #17 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Algona against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Iowa only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Iowa-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Algona near the bottom of Iowa's cities

Among the 858 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Algona ranks #450 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Algona only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#698 of 845
17th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#450 of 858
0th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#256 of 849
70th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#421 of 858
50th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#226 of 858
73rd percentile in Iowa

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Iowa only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

24thIncome percentile
95thSafety percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income · 95th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Algona's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Algona's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 67 Avg. percentile National median
Algona's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Algona's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$156,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 71% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Algona $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Algona, IA Algona, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Algona, IA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Algona, IA median $52,542/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Algona, IA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Algona, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
5,414
Median Income
$52,542
Median Home Value
$156,200
Median Age
43.1
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Labor force participation
59.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
226.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
94.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
132.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
46.0°F
Annual Precipitation
34.1"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,200 residents5,300 residents5,400 residents5,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,480 residents 5,309 residents ▼ -3.1%
Algona's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 12
2020 10
2021 7
2022 0
2023 3
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 83% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
11.4 minutes
Drive Alone
78.6%
Carpool
11.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.0%
Work from Home
4.5%
Other
1.3%

Based on 2,553 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Iowa - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$75
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Iowa state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Iowa state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Algona sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$919/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
32.3 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Sheldon
5,386 people
Winterset
5,384 people
Centerville
5,377 people
Clarinda
5,366 people
Spirit Lake
5,469 people
Osceola
5,495 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Algona's 5,414 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Ripley, MS
5,415 people
Cocoa West, FL
5,416 people
Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD
5,418 people
Hyde Park, UT
5,410 people
North Hills, NY
5,419 people
Coco comunidad, PR
5,409 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Algona's $52,542 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Peabody, KS
$52,539 median income
Beaver Dam, KY
$52,546 median income
Eupora, MS
$52,546 median income
Southampton Meadows, VA
$52,535 median income
Russellville, AL
$52,529 median income
Lavelle, PA
$52,557 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Algona, IA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Algona, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.5% White 89.9% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.9% Two or more races 4.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Algona compares to nearby Iowa cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Algona (this city) 5,414 $52,542
Sheldon 5,386 $68,448
Winterset 5,384 $69,268
Centerville 5,377 $41,472
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Algona, IA?

What is the population of Algona, IA? +

Algona, IA counts 5,414 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Algona, IA? +

The median household income in Algona is $52,542 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Algona? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Algona; the closest available measure is the Iowa state average, a cost of living index of 87.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Iowa vary by metro area.

Is Algona, IA safe? +

Algona has a total crime rate of 226.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Algona, IA? +

Homes in Algona carry a median value of $156,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Algona? +

The average annual temperature in Algona runs 46.0°F, 34.1 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.