The 10 Worst Small Towns In Iowa For 2024


The worst small towns in Iowa are Postville and Tama for 2024 based on Friday Night Science.

Most Americans have never been to small town Iowa. However, as the Iowan who live there know, small town Iowa is an awesome place to call home.

But is it all roses? Definitely not. Just like any other state, Iowa has its trouble spots. This article aims to determine, using Saturday Night Science, the absolute worst small towns to live in the Hawkeye State. Don’t freak out, we will use data to show which places have high crime, poverty, and unemployment.

After analyzing more than 197 of Iowa’s smallest cities, we came up with this list as the 10 worst small towns in Iowa where you’d never want to live:


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table


These are the worst small towns in Iowa for 2024:

  1. Postville
  2. Tama
  3. Onawa
  4. Toledo
  5. Chariton
  6. Eagle Grove
  7. Rockwell City
  8. Lamoni
  9. Hampton
  10. George

Worst Small Towns To Live In Iowa Map

So what is the worst small town to call home in Iowa for 2024? According to the most recent census data, Postville is the worst small town to live in Iowa.

While many of these small towns have seen better days, they have wonderful communities and people. This report in no way means to knock the folks that call towns like Postville home. Everyone

Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers, or scroll to the bottom to see how your town ranked.

And if you already know about the small towns, check out the best places to live in Iowa or the worst places to live in Iowa.

If you’re looking for something more national, check out the worst cities in America or the worst states in America.

The 10 Worst Small Towns In Iowa For 2024

1. Postville

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,653
Median Home Value: $139,702
Median Income: $46,522
Unemployment Rate: 6.9%

2. Tama

Tama, IA

Source: Wikipedia User Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,073
Median Home Value: $128,552
Median Income: $59,129
Unemployment Rate: 7.7%

3. Onawa

Onawa, IA

Source: Wikipedia User IowaPolitics.com | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,876
Median Home Value: $132,950
Median Income: $49,082
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%

4. Toledo

Toledo, IA

Source: Wikipedia User Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,047
Median Home Value: $151,534
Median Income: $51,574
Unemployment Rate: 10.5%

5. Chariton

Chariton, IA

Source: Wikipedia User en:User:Cburnett | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 4,203
Median Home Value: $135,975
Median Income: $50,100
Unemployment Rate: 6.4%

6. Eagle Grove

Eagle Grove, IA

Source: Wikipedia User Ann Sullivan-Larson | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,589
Median Home Value: $107,584
Median Income: $57,107
Unemployment Rate: 3.4%

7. Rockwell City

Rockwell City, IA

Source: Wikipedia User Dual Freq | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,389
Median Home Value: $118,677
Median Income: $52,688
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%

8. Lamoni

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,284
Median Home Value: $136,338
Median Income: $48,854
Unemployment Rate: 7.5%

9. Hampton

Hampton, IA

Source: Wikipedia User Ann Sullivan-Larson | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,328
Median Home Value: $104,815
Median Income: $48,897
Unemployment Rate: 1.5%

10. George

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,149
Median Home Value: $156,886
Median Income: $61,302
Unemployment Rate: 4.6%

Methodology: How do you decide if a small place in Iowa is lousy or not?

To rank the worst small towns to live in Iowa, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place. Assuming that people like low crime, solid education, things to do, and a stable economy isn’t a stretch.

We then analyzed the criteria using Saturday Night Science, the thinking you’d use at a bar. It seems like even your crazy Uncle would agree that a town with high crime is worse than a town with low crime; all else the same.

Using FBI crime data and the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, this is the criteria we used:

  • Population Density (The lower, the worse)
  • Highest Unemployment Rates
  • Low housing costs (meaning there’s no demand)
  • Adjusted Median Income (Median income adjusted for the cost of living)
  • Education (Number of high school dropouts)
  • High Crime

We looked at cities with populations between 1,000 and 5,000 people, of which there were many – 197 to be exact.

We get the crime numbers from the FBI, which gets them from the cities. Dropout numbers are based on the adult population, not just the current graduation rates of teenagers.

We base all our research on facts, which is meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2024, which is our tenth time ranking the worst small places to live in Iowa.

There You Have It – The Worst Small Towns In Iowa

If you’re analyzing teeny places in the Hawkeye State with the worst economic situations, where there’s high crime and there’s not a lot to do, this is an accurate list.

The worst small towns in Iowa are Postville, Tama, Onawa, Toledo, Chariton, Eagle Grove, Rockwell City, Lamoni, Hampton, and George.

If you’re curious enough, here are the best small towns to live in Iowa, according to science:

  1. Walford (Pop. 1,434)
  2. Earlham (Pop. 1,367)
  3. Atkins (Pop. 2,296)

For more Iowa reading, check out:

Worst Small Towns In Iowa

Rank Town Population Unemployment Rate Home Value Median Income
1 Postville 2,653 6.9% $139,702 $46,522
2 Tama 3,073 7.7% $128,552 $59,129
3 Onawa 2,876 3.0% $132,950 $49,082
4 Toledo 2,047 10.5% $151,534 $51,574
5 Chariton 4,203 6.4% $135,975 $50,100
6 Eagle Grove 3,589 3.4% $107,584 $57,107
7 Rockwell City 2,389 3.0% $118,677 $52,688
8 Lamoni 2,284 7.5% $136,338 $48,854
9 Hampton 4,328 1.5% $104,815 $48,897
10 George 1,149 4.6% $156,886 $61,302
11 Shenandoah 4,930 5.9% $119,699 $48,859
12 Strawberry Point 1,427 5.2% $132,034 $58,750
13 Villisca 1,071 1.9% $77,742 $55,625
14 Evansdale 4,561 7.9% $146,582 $54,575
15 Fayette 1,179 10.0% $163,411 $39,375
16 Sibley 2,830 7.5% $136,292 $60,417
17 Columbus Junction 2,029 5.2% $137,164 $62,500
18 Bedford 1,416 5.9% $87,629 $61,838
19 Ackley 1,699 2.9% $132,710 $60,577
20 Sac City 1,825 1.9% $130,834 $54,815
21 Hawarden 2,673 4.3% $155,476 $66,920
22 Afton 1,105 5.2% $105,782 $60,625
23 Greene 1,267 5.0% $161,433 $51,756
24 Guthrie Center 1,605 1.8% $170,163 $61,607
25 Hartley 1,536 3.2% $141,999 $48,088
26 Eldora 2,645 3.1% $99,221 $67,283
27 Clarion 2,799 1.1% $138,941 $48,853
28 Brooklyn 1,600 5.3% $189,319 $56,724
29 Laurens 1,223 10.6% $83,490 $53,594
30 Lenox 1,488 2.7% $107,285 $66,615
31 Belmond 2,512 3.7% $131,733 $55,233
32 Audubon 2,089 0.0% $95,456 $42,438
33 West Union 2,468 1.9% $124,924 $50,050
34 West Burlington 3,184 1.5% $156,487 $42,721
35 Carter Lake 3,780 5.9% $171,801 $64,479
36 Winfield 1,063 5.0% $119,064 $42,891
37 Montezuma 1,335 10.1% $288,860 $62,764
38 Clarksville 1,311 4.2% $169,084 $58,523
39 Pocahontas 1,614 5.4% $116,173 $61,037
40 Emmetsburg 3,671 4.1% $142,780 $54,408
41 Melcher-Dallas 1,278 6.6% $93,419 $60,096
42 Coon Rapids 1,324 1.8% $152,374 $61,058
43 Stuart 1,726 3.3% $195,361 $57,031
44 Leon 1,707 1.4% $118,300 $56,818
45 Guttenberg 1,667 3.4% $211,990 $50,833
46 Manly 1,415 4.9% $124,125 $64,688
47 Lake Mills 1,965 2.8% $152,413 $63,750
48 Eddyville 1,187 5.5% $169,848 $59,006
49 Northwood 2,142 5.6% $175,157 $62,381
50 Marengo 2,812 2.8% $171,772 $59,583
51 Corning 1,592 4.5% $146,639 $54,500
52 Lansing 1,053 4.9% $236,267 $47,730
53 Harlan 4,897 3.4% $172,077 $55,893
54 Waukon 3,818 5.1% $199,528 $52,738
55 Wapello 1,861 4.1% $132,866 $68,403
56 Belle Plaine 2,421 2.2% $126,622 $65,500
57 Britt 1,921 3.5% $145,744 $59,805
58 Oakland 1,678 1.3% $193,866 $71,635
59 Lake City 1,745 2.0% $125,068 $59,704
60 Manson 1,718 4.7% $136,166 $69,444
61 Mount Ayr 1,838 1.4% $118,193 $61,458
62 Hamburg 1,087 2.7% $104,414 $54,597
63 Greenfield 1,778 2.9% $152,856 $50,598
64 Missouri Valley 2,692 4.6% $206,369 $61,480
65 Ida Grove 1,969 3.9% $136,630 $65,774
66 Sigourney 1,835 1.5% $121,506 $49,688
67 Jefferson 4,190 2.1% $152,303 $48,868
68 Dunlap 1,418 5.8% $174,425 $56,667
69 Forest City 4,254 2.4% $169,044 $58,060
70 Dysart 1,542 5.1% $190,610 $72,917
71 Nashua 1,472 1.2% $171,616 $60,000
72 Panora 1,490 7.9% $437,664 $61,438
73 Rock Rapids 2,631 4.1% $209,633 $67,625
74 Sheffield 1,209 2.6% $159,802 $61,953
75 Sumner 2,145 3.1% $128,688 $59,926
76 Woodbine 1,286 2.0% $197,630 $58,816
77 New London 2,471 2.5% $169,794 $60,735
78 Blue Grass 1,873 6.2% $308,719 $78,125
79 Walcott 1,854 2.7% $257,190 $74,563
80 Marcus 1,200 2.4% $175,070 $68,750
81 Griswold 1,056 2.0% $152,832 $60,750
82 New Hampton 3,473 3.6% $158,803 $60,052
83 Colfax 2,186 5.9% $165,992 $81,076
84 New Sharon 1,183 2.6% $192,881 $62,679
85 Holstein 1,560 1.3% $163,325 $65,043
86 Corydon 1,688 2.3% $142,795 $52,500
87 Sanborn 1,536 1.7% $169,376 $54,500
88 Camanche 4,546 3.6% $194,013 $65,090
89 Rockwell 1,004 1.1% $189,374 $56,481
90 Manning 1,444 0.5% $123,309 $62,031
91 Graettinger 1,010 1.4% $111,264 $69,519
92 Monticello 4,034 2.1% $203,565 $65,266
93 Alta 2,207 15.4% $212,368 $70,094
94 Vinton 4,953 2.2% $179,891 $63,100
95 Albia 3,705 2.8% $156,026 $58,894
96 Garner 3,065 1.8% $204,286 $69,056
97 West Liberty 3,821 4.2% $204,689 $63,910
98 Akron 1,580 0.9% $188,259 $60,833
99 Dyersville 4,318 3.1% $246,062 $71,571
100 Avoca 1,375 2.3% $202,770 $66,250
About Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends.

Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 260,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country.

12 thoughts on “The 10 Worst Small Towns In Iowa For 2024

  1. Where do you get your information? Washta is not the town pictured for starters. It is no where near Missouri, but actually is situated along the Little Sioux River some 40 miles east of Sioux City. It does not have a Casey’s store, but a small convenience store which is locally owned. And, as for two churches, that was long in the past – as there has been only one church in town since the late 1960s.

  2. Hey Nick, your a retarded keyboard ninja who obviously needs to spend a little more time in these little towns.

    Sincerely,
    Everyone you offend by being an idiot on a daily basis.

    1. The way you talk trash and bash people is what makes you white trash. Most white trash people don’t even know that they are. That is why it is so amusing to listen to their bad English. Iowa is known for its inbred families.

  3. This is insulting I grew up in Hillsboro, nice quiet little town can’t think of one kid I grew up with that didn’t graduate. I have some of the best friends who I have known ALL my life we still talk!! I could have knocked on any door in town if I needed help and felt safe. What a shitty article to write when you know NOTHING ABOUT WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT!!!

  4. You didn’t even visit these towns. The pictures are all from Google Earth. And your commentary on these little towns is so condescending. I don’t think you understand the Midwest at all. Please dont’ come to these towns though because your attitude is more suited for Chicago or LA. Stay there.

  5. If you want to live in some big expensive city complete with lots of crime and drugs, fine. Small town Iowa allows one to live in a place that is safe, keeps one away from all the downsides of big city life, builds a sense of family, responsibility and which has values that you probably never heard of. Talk about something you are professional in, not that of which you only have opinions and a hope of turning a profit. I am a descendent of a wonderful family from one of those “worst places to live” little towns.

    1. Hey there, Laura from Bloomfield, IA
      You know what I am talking about. Iowa has many inbred families in these small towns! You know Iowa is full of white trash.
      Your my neighbor. I could stop by and see you.
      Where do you work? McDonald’s?

  6. Lineville has more than you listed. Yes we have farm supply store and funeral home. But we also have a park, a post office, 3 churches, a housing for elderly, a cemetary, mfa, napa, fire station, city hall, library, clinic, and 1 bar on iowa side. Missouri side has a bar, gas station, liquor store, cafe, fireworks stores, car wash. Dont degrade these small towns just bc we dont have all that the cities have. We love our small town communities. In lineville we have 2 main families. So yes you can call us a family ran town and we are proud of it.

  7. Burlington Iowa is a sleep with all your friends place. If you want pot that where you get it. Drugs,….a lot of them. lol

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