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IA area data

Independence, IA

Independence, IA.

Population: 8,419 (Census ACS)

The median home value in Independence, IA is $223,941 — up 5.9% over the past year. Typical rent runs $888/month. 5 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Very Low, with drought, hail 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

$223,941

Median home value

+5.9%

1-year change

Very Low

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$223,941
1-year appreciation
+5.9%
3-year appreciation
+17.6%
5-year appreciation
+35.6%
10-year appreciation
+71.1%
All-time peak (2026-05)
$225,381
House Price Index (state)
379.0 (+3.7% YoY)

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

Market activity

For-sale inventory
34
New listings (monthly)
10

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

Rents

Typical rent
$888/mo

Sources: market rent index (ZIP-level) · HUD Fair Market Rents (metro/county-level, 40th-percentile regulatory reference)

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)

Schools

Total schools
5
Elementary schools
3
Middle schools
0
High schools
1
School districts serving the area
Independence Comm School District, Jesup Comm School District
Schools include
East Elementary School, Independence Junior Senior High School, West Elementary School, Early Childhood Center, Perry #1 Elementary School

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Very Low
Top hazards (county)
drought, hail
Notable hazard ratings (county)
coldWave: Relatively Low · drought: Relatively Moderate · hail: Relatively Moderate · inlandFlooding: Relatively Low · strongWind: Relatively Low · tornado: Relatively Low
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 8% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
28.4%
Radon potential (county)
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
None
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
46.0°F
Average high
57.0°F
Average low
36.0°F
Annual precipitation
40.2 in
Annual snowfall
33.8 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)

Amenities

National parks within ~60 mi
1
Nearest national park
Effigy Mounds National Monument (51 mi)
Airports within 30 mi
7
Nearest airport
Independence Municipal Airport (8 mi)
Nearest major airport
Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO) (30 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
2
Hospitals include
BUCHANAN COUNTY HEALTH CENTER, MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE
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)
+36 tax filers

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

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,975
Housing built before 1970
44.0%
Housing built 2000 or later
14.7%
Median annual property tax
$2,654
Mean commute to work
21 min
Households with broadband internet
72.2%

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

Employment & development

Total county employment
5,081
Average weekly wage
$920
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Construction, Accommodation & Food
Annual residential building permits (county)
27

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

How it compares

IndependenceState medianUS median
Median home value$223,941$211,348$289,727
Typical rent$888/mo$1,175/mo$1,808/mo
Median annual property tax$2,654$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 Independence, IA?
$223,941.
What is typical rent in Independence, IA?
Typical rent: $888/month.
What is the natural-hazard risk in Independence, IA?
Overall risk: Very Low (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: drought, hail.
What is the wildfire risk in Independence, IA?
Risk to homes is higher than 8% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in Independence, IA?
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near Independence, IA?
No current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA).
How many schools serve Independence, IA?
5 schools (3 elementary, 1 high) (NCES, 2022-23).
What is the cost of living in Independence, IA?
Regional Price Parity: 89.5 (100 = US average) (Low) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

ZIP code for Independence

Selling a home in Independence, IA?

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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