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Most Americans have never been to Iowa. However, as the people who live there know, Iowa is an awesome state.
But is it all roses? Definitely not. Just like any other state, Iowa has its trouble spots. This article aims to determine, using science, the absolute worst small towns to live in the Hawkeye State. Don't shoot the messenger, this is all using data.
After analyzing more than 205 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:
So what is the worst small town to call home in iowa for 2020? According to the most recent census data, Villisca is the worst small town to live in Iowa.
Of course, many of these cities would rank highly if they were in other states, since Iowa has its stuff figured out.
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 2020
/10
Population: 1,340
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $61,700 (4th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 9.2% (7th worst)
More on Villisca: Data
2. Eldon
/10
Population: 1,071
Rank Last Year: -
Median Home Value: $55,900 (1st worst)
Unemployment Rate: 9.8% (6th worst)
More on Eldon:
/10
Population: 1,557
Rank Last Year: 6 (Up 3)
Median Home Value: $82,600 (30th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 7.0% (22nd worst)
More on Lenox: Data
/10
Population: 2,037
Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 3)
Median Home Value: $69,500 (9th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 5.5% (41st worst)
More on Leon: Data
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Population: 2,772
Rank Last Year: 2 (Down 4)
Median Home Value: $82,800 (33rd worst)
Unemployment Rate: 6.3% (30th worst)
More on Clarion: Data
/10
Population: 2,498
Rank Last Year: 5 (Down 2)
Median Home Value: $90,900 (62nd worst)
Unemployment Rate: 4.0% (70th worst)
More on Lamoni: Data
/10
Population: 2,530
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 4)
Median Home Value: $83,200 (35th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 4.5% (58th worst)
More on Postville: Data
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Population: 1,119
Rank Last Year: 9 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $61,600 (3rd worst)
Unemployment Rate: 8.9% (11th worst)
More on Hamburg: Data
How do you decide if a place is lousy or not?
In order to rank the worst small towns to live in Iowa, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place. It isn't a stretch to assume that people like low crime, solid education, things to do and a stable economy.
So we scraped the internet for those criteria, and it spit out the answer. Like magic.
How we determined the worst small towns to live in Iowa for 2020
We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible. Using FBI crime data and the Census's 2014-2018 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 a lot - 205 to be exact.
Additional note: We get the crime numbers from the FBI, which gets its crime numbers from the cities themselves. Dropout numbers are based on the adult population, not just the current graduation rates of teenagers.
This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased.
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.
If you're curious enough, here are the best small towns to live in Iowa, according to science:
- Garner (Pop. 3,059)
- Mount Vernon (Pop. 4,454)
- Walford (Pop. 1,471)
For more Iowa reading, check out:
Detailed List Of The Worst Small Towns In Iowa
Rank | Town | Population |
---|---|---|
1 | Villisca | 1,340 |
2 | Eldon | 1,071 |
3 | Lenox | 1,557 |
4 | Leon | 2,037 |
5 | Onawa | 2,830 |
6 | Clarion | 2,772 |
7 | Lamoni | 2,498 |
8 | Postville | 2,530 |
9 | Albia | 3,761 |
10 | Hamburg | 1,119 |
11 | Chariton | 4,151 |
12 | Beaverdale | 1,032 |
13 | Columbus Junction | 2,311 |
14 | Fayette | 1,146 |
15 | Sac City | 2,137 |
16 | Toledo | 2,296 |
17 | Tama | 2,793 |
18 | Hawarden | 2,706 |
19 | West Burlington | 2,929 |
20 | Mapleton | 1,196 |
21 | Belle Plaine | 2,427 |
22 | Eagle Grove | 3,437 |
23 | Anita | 1,127 |
24 | Belmond | 2,574 |
25 | Winfield | 1,042 |
26 | West Union | 2,561 |
27 | Audubon | 1,989 |
28 | Griswold | 1,189 |
29 | Wayland | 1,061 |
30 | Lake City | 1,825 |
31 | Missouri Valley | 2,646 |
32 | Northwood | 2,205 |
33 | Sidney | 1,081 |
34 | Rockwell City | 2,165 |
35 | Eddyville | 1,219 |
36 | Carter Lake | 3,792 |
37 | Cherokee | 4,966 |
38 | Guthrie Center | 1,570 |
39 | Manly | 1,471 |
40 | Shenandoah | 4,945 |
41 | Hampton | 4,280 |
42 | North English | 1,106 |
43 | Stuart | 1,501 |
44 | Bedford | 1,566 |
45 | Ackley | 1,785 |
46 | Clarksville | 1,448 |
47 | Eldora | 2,664 |
48 | Greene | 1,006 |
49 | Mount Ayr | 2,066 |
50 | Hartley | 1,698 |
51 | Corydon | 1,682 |
52 | Panora | 1,162 |
53 | Laurens | 1,224 |
54 | Evansdale | 4,786 |
55 | Walcott | 1,539 |
56 | Pleasantville | 1,715 |
57 | Melcher-Dallas | 1,255 |
58 | Manning | 1,542 |
59 | Montezuma | 1,388 |
60 | George | 1,150 |
61 | Woodward | 1,543 |
62 | Cascade | 2,078 |
63 | Pocahontas | 1,712 |
64 | Strawberry Point | 1,376 |
65 | Coon Rapids | 1,283 |
66 | Forest City | 4,089 |
67 | Cresco | 3,780 |
68 | Allison | 1,106 |
69 | Ida Grove | 2,137 |
70 | Bloomfield | 2,658 |
71 | New London | 1,941 |
72 | Fredericksburg | 1,136 |
73 | Lake View | 1,062 |
74 | Keota | 1,027 |
75 | Marengo | 2,620 |
76 | Camanche | 4,342 |
77 | Sibley | 2,639 |
78 | Akron | 1,542 |
79 | Rock Valley | 3,712 |
80 | Guttenberg | 1,852 |
81 | Nashua | 1,515 |
82 | Jefferson | 4,160 |
83 | Kalona | 2,516 |
84 | Oakland | 1,533 |
85 | Manson | 1,838 |
86 | Arnolds Park | 1,173 |
87 | Britt | 1,915 |
88 | Wapello | 2,055 |
89 | Marcus | 1,234 |
90 | Waukon | 3,716 |
91 | Corning | 1,566 |
92 | Greenfield | 1,713 |
93 | Humboldt | 4,583 |
94 | Malvern | 1,005 |
95 | Lake Mills | 2,082 |
96 | Monona | 1,581 |
97 | Tripoli | 1,210 |
98 | Paullina | 1,067 |
99 | Princeton | 1,114 |
100 | Alta | 2,152 |
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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
Washta is not near Missouri. It’s in the NW corner of the state
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.
How are you employed?
-Laura from Bloomfield, IA
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?
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.
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
Sorry, This is what happens when I don’t prof read before I post. lol