City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Rock Valley, IA

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

4,061
Residents
$67,012
Median income
$225,800
Median home
$971
Median rent (state)

Rock Valley - the verdict

Nationally, Rock Valley sits in the 46th 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.

46th
percentile, household income
50th
percentile, home value
12th
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: Rock Valley, IA

Iowa's Rock Valley is a small town, with 4,061 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Rock Valley brings in $67,012 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.0%. Home values in Rock Valley run a median of $225,800, and the median resident age is 41.0 years. About 21.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 73.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 87 residential building permits were authorized in Rock Valley (Building Boom), up 383% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Rock Valley reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 222.9 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not 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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $971 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Iowa run around $212, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 52.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

4,061 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$67,012 /yr

Poverty 2.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Rock Valley compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 46% higher than other cities
Home value 50% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% 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.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Iowa alone, Rock Valley ranks #16 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Rock Valley's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Iowa, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

46thIncome percentile
95thSafety percentile

46th percentile nationally for median household income · 95th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Rock Valley's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Rock Valley'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 70 Avg. percentile National median
Rock Valley'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 Rock Valley's home value compares nationally

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

$225,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 50% 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. Rock Valley $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 - Rock Valley, IA Rock Valley, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rock Valley, 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 Rock Valley, IA median $67,012/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%
Rock Valley, 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 Rock Valley, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 73.1%

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

Population
4,061
Median Income
$67,012
Median Home Value
$225,800
Median Age
41.0
Poverty Rate
2.0%
Labor force participation
73.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
222.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
222.9
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 →
4,000 residents4,050 residents4,100 residents4,150 residents4,200 residents4,250 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,069 residents 4,188 residents ▲ +2.9%
Rock Valley's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
87
housing units authorized
Single-Family
43
detached homes
Multifamily
44
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
21.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 18
2020 20
2021 6
2022 2
2023 5
2024 87

Permit volume increased 383% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
72.1%
Carpool
11.1%
Public Transit
1.0%
Walk
3.4%
Work from Home
8.6%
Other
3.8%

Based on 2,257 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 Rock Valley sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$971/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
52.4 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Monticello
4,055 people
Jefferson
4,164 people
Carlisle
4,187 people
Cresco
3,901 people
Chariton
4,235 people
Forest City
4,280 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rock Valley's 4,061 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Brookdale, SC
4,061 people
Cross Plains, WI
4,059 people
Crittenden, KY
4,058 people
Delmar, MD
4,058 people
West Milwaukee, WI
4,064 people
Hugoton, KS
4,065 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rock Valley's $67,012 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bay Pines, FL
$67,012 median income
Twin Lakes, VA
$67,012 median income
Miami Beach, FL
$67,014 median income
Newton, KS
$67,015 median income
Bow, WA
$67,017 median income
Stock Island, FL
$67,005 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rock Valley, 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 Rock Valley, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.4% 20.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 32.1% White 76.4% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.7% Two or more races 20.0% 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 Rock Valley 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
Rock Valley (this city) 4,061 $67,012
Monticello 4,055 $67,788
Jefferson 4,164 $54,286
Carlisle 4,187 $98,333
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rock Valley, IA?

What is the population of Rock Valley, IA? +

Rock Valley, IA has a population of 4,061 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Rock Valley, IA? +

Median annual household income in Rock Valley runs $67,012, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rock Valley? +

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

Rock Valley has a total crime rate of 222.9 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 Rock Valley, IA? +

Rock Valley's median home value sits at $225,800, 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 Editorial

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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.