City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Van Meter, IA

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

1,469
Residents
$133,750
Median income
$250,300
Median home
$1,318
Median rent (state)

Van Meter - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Van Meter lands in the 91st percentile for household income and the 98th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

91st
percentile, household income
56th
percentile, home value
47th
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: Van Meter, IA

1,469 people live in Van Meter, Iowa - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Van Meter households earn a median of $133,750 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 1.8%. Van Meter's housing stock carries a median value of $250,300, and the median resident age is 35.8 years. About 42.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 77.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 37 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 236% from five years earlier. Van Meter reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 110.4 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not 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 $1,318 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Iowa, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 60.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

1,469 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$133,750 /yr

Poverty 1.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Van Meter compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 91% higher than other cities
Home value 56% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% 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.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Iowa alone, Van Meter ranks #6 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

Each percentile compares Van Meter 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 Van Meter's strongest outlier among Iowa cities

Among the 858 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Van Meter ranks #57 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Van Meter only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#7 of 845
99th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#34 of 858
90th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#71 of 849
92nd percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#700 of 858
17th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#57 of 858
93rd 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.

91stIncome percentile
98thSafety percentile

91st percentile nationally for median household income · 98th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Van Meter's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Van Meter'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 79 Avg. percentile National median
Van Meter'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 Van Meter's home value compares nationally

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

$250,300 44th percentile more affordable than 44% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Van Meter $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 - Van Meter, IA Van Meter, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Van Meter, 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 Van Meter, IA median $133,750/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%
Van Meter, 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 Van Meter, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 42.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 77.1%

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

Population
1,469
Median Income
$133,750
Median Home Value
$250,300
Median Age
35.8
Poverty Rate
1.8%
Labor force participation
77.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
42.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
110.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
55.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
55.2
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 →
1,400 residents1,600 residents1,800 residents2,000 residents2,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,496 residents 1,978 residents ▲ +32.2%
Van Meter's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
37
housing units authorized
Single-Family
37
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
25.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 11
2020 18
2021 10
2022 72
2023 43
2024 37

Permit volume increased 236% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.6%
Carpool
1.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.3%
Work from Home
17.0%

Based on 757 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 Van Meter sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,318/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
60.6 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Lenox
1,474 people
Manning
1,474 people
Traer
1,464 people
Roland
1,458 people
Slater
1,498 people
Oakland
1,500 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Van Meter's 1,469 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Smoke Rise, AL
1,469 people
Newport, ME
1,469 people
Seabrook Farms, NJ
1,469 people
Millers Creek, NC
1,469 people
Sardinia, OH
1,469 people
Blawnox, PA
1,469 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Van Meter's $133,750 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mullica Hill, NJ
$133,750 median income
Nevada, TX
$133,750 median income
Walnut, CA
$133,762 median income
Tyrone, GA
$133,773 median income
Fredericktown, PA
$133,782 median income
Woodlake, VA
$133,782 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Van Meter, 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 Van Meter, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 96.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.1% White 96.4% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 1.7% 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 Van Meter 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
Van Meter (this city) 1,469 $133,750
Lenox 1,474 $59,750
Manning 1,474 $62,310
Traer 1,464 $79,653
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Van Meter, IA?

What is the population of Van Meter, IA? +

Van Meter, IA counts 1,469 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Van Meter, IA? +

In Van Meter, the typical household earns $133,750 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Van Meter? +

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

Van Meter has a total crime rate of 110.4 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 Van Meter, IA? +

A typical home in Van Meter is worth $250,300, 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.