City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Earlham, IA

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

1,406
Residents
$104,464
Median income
$248,400
Median home
$1,318
Median rent (state)

Earlham - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Earlham places in the 80th percentile for household income and the 91st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

80th
percentile, household income
55th
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
91st
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: Earlham, IA

Earlham is a small town in Iowa, home to 1,406 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $104,464 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 0.2%. Typical homes in Earlham are valued around $248,400, and the median resident age is 43.9 years. Educational attainment runs 28.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 72.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 100% from five years earlier. Earlham reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 353.8 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).

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: the state registers 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,318 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Iowa's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). Workers in Earlham report an average commute of 22.1 minutes, with 75.1% driving alone and 17.7% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 35.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

1,406 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$104,464 /yr

Poverty 0.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Earlham compare to other US cities?

Earlham measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 80% higher than other cities
Home value 55% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities
Safety 91% 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, Earlham ranks #31 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 Earlham against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Iowa only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Iowa-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Earlham's strongest outlier among Iowa cities

Among the 849 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Earlham ranks #76 - the 91st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Earlham only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#49 of 845
94th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#34 of 858
90th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#76 of 849
91st percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#763 of 858
11th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#132 of 858
85th 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.

80thIncome percentile
91stSafety percentile

80th percentile nationally for median household income · 91st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Earlham's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Earlham'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 73 Avg. percentile National median
Earlham'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 Earlham's home value compares nationally

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

$248,400 45th percentile more affordable than 45% 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%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Earlham $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 - Earlham, IA Earlham, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Earlham, 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 Earlham, IA median $104,464/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%
Earlham, 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 Earlham, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 72.7%

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

Population
1,406
Median Income
$104,464
Median Home Value
$248,400
Median Age
43.9
Poverty Rate
0.2%
Labor force participation
72.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
353.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
212.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
141.5
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.

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,390 residents1,400 residents1,410 residents1,420 residents1,430 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,413 residents 1,396 residents ▼ -1.2%
Earlham's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 4
2021 2
2022 2
2023 0
2024 2

Permit volume increased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
22.1 minutes
Drive Alone
75.1%
Carpool
6.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
17.7%

Based on 780 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 Earlham sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,318/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
35.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Coon Rapids
1,403 people
Malvern
1,415 people
Strawberry Point
1,415 people
Nora Springs
1,394 people
Woodbine
1,418 people
Greene
1,390 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Earlham's 1,406 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kaibab Estates West, AZ
1,406 people
Cherry Branch, NC
1,406 people
Gretna, FL
1,405 people
Burkesville, KY
1,407 people
Paraje, NM
1,405 people
Constantia, NY
1,405 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Earlham's $104,464 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Crooks, SD
$104,479 median income
Sloatsburg, NY
$104,444 median income
Waverly, PA
$104,444 median income
Rochester, WI
$104,429 median income
Hayden Lake, ID
$104,500 median income
Patchogue, NY
$104,423 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Earlham, 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 Earlham, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.0% White 94.7% Black or African American 2.6% Asian 0.0% American Indian 2.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.8% 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 Earlham 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
Earlham (this city) 1,406 $104,464
Coon Rapids 1,403 $64,338
Malvern 1,415 $82,027
Strawberry Point 1,415 $58,352
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Earlham, IA?

What is the population of Earlham, IA? +

Earlham, IA counts 1,406 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Earlham is $104,464 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Earlham? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Earlham; 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 Earlham, IA safe? +

Earlham has a total crime rate of 353.8 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 Earlham, IA? +

The median home value in Earlham is $248,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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