Housing by town in Palo Alto County, Iowa
Palo Alto County, Iowa has 9 places with Census figures, and its median gross rent is $638 (±$41) a month (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
22.9% of its households rent.
The median gross rent was $580 in 2015–2019 (+10.0%; Down after inflation).
Ayrshire has the highest median gross rent ($1,313) and Graettinger the lowest ($518).
Figures last updated on .
- Median gross rent
- $638 (±$41)
- Households that rent
- 22.9%
- Median household income
- $72,781
- Places
- 9
Cities, towns and townships in Palo Alto County
| Place | Median gross rent | Households that rent | Median household income | Median home value | Median real estate taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayrshire | $1,313 | 15.9% | $58,906 | $28,500 | $489 |
| Curlew | — | 10.3% | $64,688 | $58,000 | $423 |
| Cylinder | — | 17.9% | $62,500 | $91,700 | $500 |
| Emmetsburg | $624 | 30.6% | $55,833 | $114,300 | $1,508 |
| Graettinger | $518 | 19.8% | $82,417 | $88,500 | $1,044 |
| Mallard | $1,078 | 18.4% | $45,909 | $57,500 | $638 |
| Rodman | — | 0.0% | $58,750 | — | $257 |
| Ruthven | $608 | 21.6% | $58,625 | $105,700 | $1,163 |
| West Bend | $538 | 15.3% | $86,154 | $159,700 | $1,837 |
HUD income limits, fiscal year 2026
| Household size | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $21,900 | $36,450 | $58,350 |
| 2 people | $25,000 | $41,650 | $66,650 |
| 3 people | $28,150 | $46,850 | $75,000 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $52,050 | $83,300 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $56,250 | $90,000 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $60,400 | $96,650 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $64,550 | $103,300 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $68,750 | $110,000 |
How the places in Palo Alto County rank across Iowa
- Iowa places ranked by median rent
- Iowa places ranked by median home value
- Iowa places ranked by median household income
- Iowa places ranked by property taxes
- Iowa places ranked by share of renters
- Iowa places ranked by rent burden
- Iowa places ranked by age of homes
- Iowa places ranked by rental vacancy rate
- Iowa places ranked by commute time
Crime reported to police in Palo Alto County
| Year | Violent crimes | Violent per 100,000 | Property crimes | Property per 100,000 | Residents served | Departments reporting in full |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 15 | 173 | 45 | 520 | 8,657 | 2 of 2 |
| 2024 | 13 | 147 | 53 | 600 | 8,830 | 2 of 2 |
| 2025 | 3 | 34 | 48 | 550 | 8,720 | 2 of 2 |
In 2025, the police departments that report for Palo Alto County recorded 3 violent and 48 property crimes, 34 and 550 per 100,000 residents.
Every department with residents of its own in the county reported every month that year.
The county figure adds up its city and town police, its sheriff and any state police with residents of their own; a university or transit force is left out, because the people it serves are already counted by the town around them.
The FBI asks that these figures not be used to rank places or to judge how safe a neighborhood is.
Police departments in Palo Alto County, 2025
| Department | Residents served | Violent crimes | Property crimes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office | 5,104 | 2 | 32 |
| Emmetsburg Police Department | 3,616 | 1 | 16 |
ZIP codes in Palo Alto County
| ZIP code | Residents | Median gross rent | Median home value | Median household income | Households that rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50536 | 4,207 | $632 | $122,000 | $59,261 | 29.7% |
| 51342 | 1,385 | $518 | $108,900 | $84,866 | 16.8% |
| 50597 | 1,341 | $613 | $179,700 | $92,000 | 11.9% |
| 51358 | 1,213 | $638 | $150,500 | $64,583 | 17.9% |
| 50562 | 377 | $1,125 | $100,000 | $72,500 | 22.0% |
| 50528 | 366 | — | $187,500 | $116,429 | 21.6% |
| 50515 | 251 | $1,313 | $29,300 | $63,333 | 19.5% |
| 50527 | 106 | — | — | — | 5.6% |
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Questions about Palo Alto County
What is the crime rate in Palo Alto County?
In 2025, the police departments that report for Palo Alto County recorded 34 violent and 550 property crimes per 100,000 residents (3 violent and 48 property crimes in all).
Which place in Palo Alto County has the highest rent?
Ayrshire has the highest median gross rent, $1,313 (±$735) a month (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Which place in Palo Alto County has the lowest rent?
Graettinger has the lowest median gross rent, $518 (±$135) a month.
What is the median rent in Palo Alto County, Iowa?
The median gross rent in Palo Alto County is $638 (±$41) a month (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Sources
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Palo Alto County, Iowa
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Palo Alto County, Iowa
- HUD Income Limits, fiscal year 2026: Palo Alto County, IA
- FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Crime Data Explorer
- FBI: Uniform Crime Reporting statistics and their proper use
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Areas
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .