City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Marengo, IA

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

2,823
Residents
$58,125
Median income
$114,100
Median home
$919
Median rent (state)

Marengo - the verdict

Marengo ranks in the 32nd percentile for household income and the 47th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

32nd
percentile, household income
15th
percentile, home value
6th
percentile, median rent
47th
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: Marengo, IA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,823 residents in Marengo, a small town within Iowa. Median household income here is $58,125 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.2%. Marengo's housing stock carries a median value of $114,100, and the median resident age is 38.4 years. Educational attainment runs 12.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 64.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 3 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Slowing), down 25% from five years earlier. Marengo reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1462.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

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 $919 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Iowa run around $212, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 28.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

2,823 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$58,125 /yr

Poverty 6.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Marengo compare to other US cities?

Here's how Marengo stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 32% higher than other cities
Home value 15% pricier than other cities
Median rent 6% pricier than other cities
Safety 47% 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, Marengo ranks #102 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 Marengo 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 Marengo near the bottom of Iowa's cities

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

Median Household Income
#583 of 845
31st percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#450 of 858
0th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#449 of 849
47th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#403 of 858
53rd percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#626 of 858
26th 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.

32ndIncome percentile
47thSafety percentile

32nd percentile nationally for median household income · 47th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Marengo's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Marengo'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 56 Avg. percentile National median
Marengo'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 Marengo's home value compares nationally

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

$114,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 85% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Marengo $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 - Marengo, IA Marengo, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Marengo, 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 Marengo, IA median $58,125/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%
Marengo, 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 Marengo, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.8%

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

Population
2,823
Median Income
$58,125
Median Home Value
$114,100
Median Age
38.4
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Labor force participation
64.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1462.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
167.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1295.4
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,400 residents2,410 residents2,420 residents2,430 residents2,440 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,437 residents 2,425 residents ▼ -0.5%
Marengo's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 5
2021 3
2022 3
2023 1
2024 3

Permit volume decreased 25% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.9%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.3%
Work from Home
3.1%

Based on 1,358 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 Marengo 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
28.2 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Sibley
2,821 people
Madrid
2,803 people
Grundy Center
2,794 people
Postville
2,787 people
Park View
2,861 people
Onawa
2,862 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Marengo's 2,823 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

East Sonora, CA
2,823 people
Donalsonville, GA
2,823 people
Pembroke, NC
2,823 people
Santa Claus, IN
2,822 people
Knob Noster, MO
2,824 people
New Britain, PA
2,822 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Marengo's $58,125 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Horn Hill, AL
$58,125 median income
Manokotak, AK
$58,125 median income
Pinal, AZ
$58,125 median income
Lewiston, CA
$58,125 median income
Hotchkiss, CO
$58,125 median income
Chesterfield, IN
$58,125 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Marengo, 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 Marengo, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.9% White 94.4% Black or African American 1.6% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 2.4% 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 Marengo 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
Marengo (this city) 2,823 $58,125
Sibley 2,821 $54,767
Madrid 2,803 $86,915
Grundy Center 2,794 $77,540
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Marengo, IA?

What is the population of Marengo, IA? +

Marengo, IA counts 2,823 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Marengo, the typical household earns $58,125 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Marengo? +

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

Marengo has a total crime rate of 1462.6 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 Marengo, IA? +

Homes in Marengo carry a median value of $114,100, 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.