City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Osceola, IA

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

5,495
Residents
$62,363
Median income
$145,300
Median home
$919
Median rent (state)

Osceola - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Osceola places in the 39th percentile for household income and the 27th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

39th
percentile, household income
25th
percentile, home value
6th
percentile, median rent
27th
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: Osceola, IA

Iowa's Osceola is a small town, with 5,495 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Osceola brings in $62,363 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.7%. Typical homes in Osceola are valued around $145,300, and the median resident age is 38.2 years. Educational attainment runs 12.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 109 residential building permits were authorized in Osceola (Rapid Growth), up 22% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2207.6 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 49.8°F with 38.7 inches of precipitation per year and 28.1 inches of snowfall.

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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $919 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Iowa, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 18.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

5,495 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$62,363 /yr

Poverty 10.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Osceola compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 39% higher than other cities
Home value 25% pricier than other cities
Median rent 6% pricier than other cities
Safety 27% 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, Osceola ranks #124 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 Osceola 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 Osceola near the bottom of Iowa's cities

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

Median Household Income
#487 of 845
42nd percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#450 of 858
0th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#294 of 849
65th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#206 of 858
76th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#633 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.

39thIncome percentile
27thSafety percentile

39th percentile nationally for median household income · 27th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Osceola's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Osceola'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 50 Avg. percentile National median
Osceola'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 Osceola's home value compares nationally

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

$145,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 75% 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. Osceola $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 - Osceola, IA Osceola, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Osceola, 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 Osceola, IA median $62,363/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%
Osceola, 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 Osceola, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.4%

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

Population
5,495
Median Income
$62,363
Median Home Value
$145,300
Median Age
38.2
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Labor force participation
58.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2207.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
160.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2047.4
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
38.7"
Annual Snowfall
28.1"

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 →
5,300 residents5,400 residents5,500 residents5,600 residents5,700 residents5,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,413 residents 5,679 residents ▲ +4.9%
Osceola's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
109
housing units authorized
Single-Family
109
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
19.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 89
2020 100
2021 109
2022 106
2023 103
2024 109

Permit volume increased 22% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.1%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.4%
Work from Home
7.0%
Other
0.6%

Based on 2,496 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 Osceola 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
18.4 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Spirit Lake
5,469 people
DeWitt
5,535 people
Red Oak
5,542 people
Anamosa
5,553 people
Algona
5,414 people
Sheldon
5,386 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Osceola's 5,495 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Albion, NY
5,495 people
Strawberry CDP (Marin County), CA
5,496 people
Kodiak, AK
5,497 people
Columbus, WI
5,493 people
Oakwood, GA
5,499 people
Quantico Base, VA
5,491 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Osceola's $62,363 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hueytown, AL
$62,362 median income
Lexington, NE
$62,364 median income
Menifee, AR
$62,361 median income
Mancos, CO
$62,361 median income
Viola, DE
$62,361 median income
Merkel, TX
$62,368 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Osceola, 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 Osceola, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.0% 10.3% 10.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 26.3% White 79.0% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 10.3% Two or more races 10.0% 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 Osceola 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
Osceola (this city) 5,495 $62,363
Spirit Lake 5,469 $73,627
DeWitt 5,535 $84,474
Red Oak 5,542 $52,996
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Osceola, IA?

What is the population of Osceola, IA? +

Osceola, IA counts 5,495 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Osceola, the typical household earns $62,363 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Osceola? +

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

Osceola has a total crime rate of 2207.6 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Osceola, IA? +

The median home value in Osceola is $145,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Osceola? +

The average annual temperature in Osceola runs 49.8°F, 38.7 inches of precipitation, and 28.1 inches of snowfall per year. 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.