City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Collins, IA

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

493
Residents
$67,292
Median income
$130,700
Median home
$1,153
Median rent (state)

Collins - the verdict

Collins ranks in the 46th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

46th
percentile, household income
21st
percentile, home value
33rd
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Collins, IA

493 people live in Collins, Iowa - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Collins brings in $67,292 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.5%. Home values in Collins run a median of $130,700, and the median resident age is 33.0 years. About 16.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 67.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 67% from five years earlier.

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Iowa scores 87.8 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,153 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Iowa, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Collins workers runs 29.3 minutes, with 83.8% driving alone and 3.9% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 68.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

493 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$67,292 /yr

Poverty 9.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Collins compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 46% higher than other cities
Home value 21% pricier than other cities
Median rent 33% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Collins 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 Collins toward the top of Iowa's cities

Among the 858 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Collins ranks #101 - the 87th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Collins only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#378 of 845
55th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#101 of 858
87th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#356 of 849
58th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#255 of 858
70th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#488 of 858
43rd 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.

46thIncome percentile

46th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Collins's home value compares nationally

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

$130,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Collins $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 - Collins, IA Collins, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Collins, 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 Collins, IA median $67,292/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%
Collins, 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 Collins, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.4%

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

Population
493
Median Income
$67,292
Median Home Value
$130,700
Median Age
33.0
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Labor force participation
67.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.4%

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
495 residents500 residents505 residents 202020212022202320242025 499 residents 497 residents ▼ -0.4%
Collins's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

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

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 2
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 1

Permit volume decreased 67% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
29.3 minutes
Drive Alone
83.8%
Carpool
10.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
3.9%

Based on 259 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 Collins sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,153/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
68.8 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Moscow
494 people
Norway
490 people
Beacon
497 people
Charter Oak
489 people
Anthon
488 people
Delhi
499 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Collins's 493 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Roberts, IL
493 people
Meadville, MO
493 people
Westphalia, MO
493 people
Hampton, NE
493 people
Burdett, NY
493 people
Maple Ridge, OH
493 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Collins's $67,292 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Danville, GA
$67,292 median income
Montrose, GA
$67,292 median income
Wellsville, KS
$67,292 median income
Vernon, MI
$67,292 median income
Joplin, MT
$67,292 median income
Munsons Corners, NY
$67,292 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Collins, 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 Collins, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.0% White 95.5% Black or African American 0.4% Asian 0.4% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 3.6% 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 Collins 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
Collins (this city) 493 $67,292
Moscow 494 $120,489
Norway 490 $91,250
Beacon 497 $56,000
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Collins, IA?

What is the population of Collins, IA? +

Collins, IA has a population of 493 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Collins is $67,292 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Collins? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Collins; 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.

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

Collins's median home value sits at $130,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.