City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

University Heights, IA

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

1,232
Residents
$105,172
Median income
$393,200
Median home
$1,141
Median rent (state)

University Heights - the verdict

University Heights ranks in the 81st percentile for household income and the 98th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

81st
percentile, household income
77th
percentile, home value
32nd
percentile, median rent
98th
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: University Heights, IA

Iowa's University Heights is a small town, with 1,232 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in University Heights brings in $105,172 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.6%. Typical homes in University Heights are valued around $393,200, and the median resident age is 27.6 years. About 89.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 73.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits). University Heights reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 85.1 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: the state registers 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,141 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Iowa's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). Workers in University Heights report an average commute of 14.4 minutes, with 36.7% driving alone and 17.7% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 87.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

1,232 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$105,172 /yr

Poverty 4.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does University Heights compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 81% higher than other cities
Home value 77% pricier than other cities
Median rent 32% pricier than other cities
Safety 98% 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, University Heights ranks #5 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 University Heights against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Iowa only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Iowa-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is University Heights's strongest outlier among Iowa cities

Among the 858 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, University Heights ranks #1 - the 100th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares University Heights only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#46 of 845
95th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#133 of 858
83rd percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#11 of 849
99th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#508 of 858
40th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1 of 858
100th 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.

81stIncome percentile
98thSafety percentile

81st percentile nationally for median household income · 98th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

University Heights's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

University Heights'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 75 Avg. percentile National median
University Heights'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 University Heights's home value compares nationally

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

$393,200 23rd percentile more affordable than 23% 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%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. University Heights $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 - University Heights, IA University Heights, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not University Heights, 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 University Heights, IA median $105,172/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%
University Heights, 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 University Heights, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 89.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 73.4%

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

Population
1,232
Median Income
$105,172
Median Home Value
$393,200
Median Age
27.6
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Labor force participation
73.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
89.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
85.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
85.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
0.0
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,160 residents1,180 residents1,200 residents1,220 residents1,240 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,223 residents 1,177 residents ▼ -3.8%
University Heights'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 1
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
14.4 minutes
Drive Alone
36.7%
Carpool
4.9%
Public Transit
2.9%
Walk
29.5%
Work from Home
17.7%
Other
8.3%

Based on 694 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 University Heights sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,141/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Laurens
1,234 people
Marcus
1,236 people
Melcher-Dallas
1,228 people
Treynor
1,228 people
Jewell Junction
1,225 people
Clarence
1,223 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to University Heights's 1,232 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Owensville, IN
1,232 people
Oley, PA
1,232 people
Buffalo, SC
1,232 people
Rotan, TX
1,232 people
Summitville, IN
1,233 people
Velda City, MO
1,231 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to University Heights's $105,172 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Chula Vista, CA
$105,173 median income
Beattystown, NJ
$105,179 median income
Beaumont, CA
$105,164 median income
St. Regis Park, KY
$105,183 median income
Steely Hollow, OK
$105,146 median income
Forestville, CA
$105,139 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - University Heights, 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 University Heights, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.8% 6.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.6% White 86.8% Black or African American 1.2% Asian 6.6% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.9% Two or more races 3.5% 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 University Heights 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
University Heights (this city) 1,232 $105,172
Laurens 1,234 $56,354
Marcus 1,236 $75,288
Melcher-Dallas 1,228 $72,824
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about University Heights, IA?

What is the population of University Heights, IA? +

University Heights, IA counts 1,232 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in University Heights, IA? +

University Heights households earn a median of $105,172 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in University Heights? +

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

University Heights has a total crime rate of 85.1 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 University Heights, IA? +

Homes in University Heights carry a median value of $393,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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