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Area data

Thornton, IA — ZIP 50479

Population: 655 (Census ACS)

The median home value in ZIP 50479 (Thornton, IA) is $165,905 — up 3.2% over the past year. FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively Low, with drought, winterweather, coldwave the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 10.5% below the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$165,905

Median home value

+3.2%

1-year change

Relatively Low

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$165,905
1-year appreciation
+3.2%
3-year appreciation
+11.0%
5-year appreciation
+14.5%
10-year appreciation
+86.2%
All-time peak (2026-07)
$165,905
House Price Index (state)
379.0 (+3.7% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

1-year forecast
+3.0%

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Low)
89.5 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
13.7¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$10.60/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively Low
Top hazards (county)
drought, winterWeather, coldWave, hail, strongWind
Notable hazard ratings (county)
coldWave: Relatively Moderate · drought: Relatively High · hail: Relatively Moderate · iceStorm: Relatively Low · inlandFlooding: Relatively Low · strongWind: Relatively Moderate
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 7% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
17.4%
Radon potential (county)
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
None
Nearest Superfund site
Mason City Coal Gasification Plant (7.5 mi)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Average annual temperature
47.0°F
Average high
58.0°F
Average low
36.0°F
Annual precipitation
41.0 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
5a (extreme annual low -20 to -15°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Good
Median AQI (annual)
19
Days with Good air quality
58
Days with Moderate air quality
2
Highest AQI recorded (year)
56

Source: EPA air quality data (nearest monitoring station, annual)

Amenities

Airports within 30 mi
18
Nearest airport
Dad's Field (6 mi)
Nearest major airport
Mason City Municipal Airport (MCW) (6 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
1,090
Hospitals include
MIZELL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, CRENSHAW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, CRENSHAW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
3.1 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
5.0 / 5
EV charging stations (within 10 mi)
6
Solar radiation rating
Fair (3.9 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
-60 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,945
Housing built before 1970
75.5%
Housing built 2000 or later
4.4%
Median annual property tax
$1,541
Mean commute to work
22 min
Households with broadband internet
69.4%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
20,375
Average weekly wage
$1,024
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Accommodation & Food, Construction
Annual residential building permits (county)
30

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

ZIP 50479State medianUS median
Median home value$165,905$211,348$289,727
Median annual property tax$1,541$1,927$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the median home value in ZIP 50479?
$165,905.
What is the natural-hazard risk in ZIP 50479?
Overall risk: Relatively Low (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: drought, winterWeather, coldWave, hail, strongWind.
What is the wildfire risk in ZIP 50479?
Risk to homes is higher than 7% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in ZIP 50479?
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near ZIP 50479?
No current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA).
What is the air quality in ZIP 50479?
Good. Median AQI: 19. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in ZIP 50479?
Regional Price Parity: 89.5 (100 = US average) (Low) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

Nearby ZIP codes

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents