City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Rockwell City, IA

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

2,449
Residents
$61,563
Median income
$91,300
Median home
$919
Median rent (state)

Rockwell City - the verdict

Nationally, Rockwell City sits in the 38th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

38th
percentile, household income
7th
percentile, home value
6th
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: Rockwell City, IA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,449 residents in Rockwell City, a small town within Iowa. Median household income here is $61,563 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.3%. Typical homes in Rockwell City are valued around $91,300, and the median resident age is 39.4 years. 14.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 39.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 47.2°F with 33.8 inches of precipitation per year and 32.1 inches of snowfall.

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 $919 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Iowa, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 20.0 minutes, with 67.4% driving alone and 3.8% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 44.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

2,449 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$61,563 /yr

Poverty 4.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Rockwell City compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 38% higher than other cities
Home value 7% pricier than other cities
Median rent 6% 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 Rockwell City 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 Rockwell City near the bottom of Iowa's cities

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

Median Household Income
#510 of 845
40th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#450 of 858
0th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#602 of 849
29th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#530 of 858
37th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#580 of 858
32nd 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.

38thIncome percentile

38th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Rockwell City's home value compares nationally

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

$91,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 93% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $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. Rockwell City $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 - Rockwell City, IA Rockwell City, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rockwell City, 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 Rockwell City, IA median $61,563/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%
Rockwell City, 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 Rockwell City, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 39.2%

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

Population
2,449
Median Income
$61,563
Median Home Value
$91,300
Median Age
39.4
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Labor force participation
39.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.0%

Climate

Avg Temperature
47.2°F
Annual Precipitation
33.8"
Annual Snowfall
32.1"

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 →
2,100 residents2,150 residents2,200 residents2,250 residents2,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,250 residents 2,133 residents ▼ -5.2%
Rockwell City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

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

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.0 minutes
Drive Alone
67.4%
Carpool
22.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
3.8%
Other
5.0%

Based on 769 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 Rockwell City 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
44.6 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Belle Plaine
2,412 people
New London
2,402 people
West Union
2,393 people
West Branch
2,526 people
Atkins
2,347 people
Alta
2,344 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rockwell City's 2,449 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Janesville, MN
2,449 people
Sag Harbor, NY
2,449 people
Palmer, TX
2,449 people
Sheldon, TX
2,449 people
Louisville, GA
2,448 people
Matamoras, PA
2,448 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rockwell City's $61,563 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

New Boston, IL
$61,563 median income
North Salem, IN
$61,563 median income
Alanson, MI
$61,563 median income
Abbeville, MS
$61,563 median income
Pine Ridge at Crestwood, NJ
$61,563 median income
DeRuyter, NY
$61,563 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rockwell City, 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 Rockwell City, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.1% White 86.8% Black or African American 4.4% Asian 0.4% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.3% Two or more races 5.8% 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 Rockwell City 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
Rockwell City (this city) 2,449 $61,563
Belle Plaine 2,412 $70,517
New London 2,402 $65,815
West Union 2,393 $50,909
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rockwell City, IA?

What is the population of Rockwell City, IA? +

Rockwell City, IA counts 2,449 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Rockwell City, IA? +

In Rockwell City, the typical household earns $61,563 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rockwell City? +

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

Rockwell City's median home value sits at $91,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Rockwell City? +

The average annual temperature in Rockwell City runs 47.2°F, 33.8 inches of precipitation, and 32.1 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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