Indianola, IA

Census place 1938280 · pop 16,044

C63/ 100
😐 Meh
C
in IA
📍 Iowa ranks #11 of 50 states →
🏆 Disaster48/100 · top 10%
🚽 Prop tax1.55% · bottom 24%
Taxes
1.55% property · US 0.99%6.94% sales · US 7.00%3.80% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Property-tax burden1.55%24

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

1.55% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Adult obesity38.1%30

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

38.1% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Population growth (5yr)+1.5%40

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

+1.5% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Property crime rate1478/100k44

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

1478 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Broadband access91.0%45

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

91.0% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Violent crime rate224/100k46

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

224 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Median household income$75,45351

U.S. median $67,857 · better than most cities

$75,453 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Adult smoking12.5%58

U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities

12.5% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Bachelor's degree or higher35.0%60

U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities

35.0% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Housing cost$237,50060

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$237,500 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Poor mental health16.2%63

U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities

16.2% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Physical inactivity22.5%64

U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities

22.5% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Commute time22 min64

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

22 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Homeownership69.9%67

U.S. median 67.2% · better than most cities

69.9% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Poverty rate6.4%78

U.S. median 12.1% · better than most cities

6.4% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Income inequality0.3983

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.39 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Rent$1,248/mo85

U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities

$1,248/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Unemployment rateCounty-level2.8%87

U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities

2.8% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Uninsured adults5.8%87

U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities

5.8% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level48/10090

U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities

48/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Not measured for Indianola: Air, Bad air. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.

Frequently asked

Is Indianola, IA a good place to live?
By the numbers, Indianola scores 63/100 — a C (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is natural disaster risk and its weakest is property-tax burden. Iowa overall ranks #11 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Indianola, IA?
Indianola reports 224 violent crimes per 100k and 1478 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Indianola, IA expensive to live in?
Indianola has a median home value of $237,500 and typical rent around $1,248/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Indianola, IA?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (1.55%) — 24/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Indianola, IA best at?
Its strongest measured area is natural disaster risk (48/100) — 90/100, better than most U.S. cities. (A county-level figure.)

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.