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 562 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:
- Davis City
- Alexander
- Marathon
- Garden Grove
- Harris
- Chester
- Rake
- Rowan
- Cincinnati
- Delta
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.
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 crunched the numbers
We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible. Using FBI crime data, the Census’s 2010-2014 American Community Survey, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 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 100 and 1,000 people, of which, there were a lot – 562 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.
1. Davis City
Population: 208 Median Income: $27,083
Median Home Value: $27,500
2. Alexander
Population: 150 Median Income: $35,000
Median Home Value: $41,300
3. Marathon
Population: 270 Median Income: $38,281
Median Home Value: $23,100
4. Garden Grove
Population: 183 Median Income: $30,833
Median Home Value: $43,400
5. Harris
Population: 147 Median Income: $33,333
Median Home Value: $48,000
6. Chester
Population: 263 Median Income: $29,375
Median Home Value: $54,000
7. Rake
Population: 184 Median Income: $22,143
Median Home Value: $28,000
8. Rowan
Population: 143 Median Income: $30,625
Median Home Value: $28,300
9. Cincinnati
Population: 314 Median Income: $33,750
Median Home Value: $45,000
10. Delta
Population: 246 Median Income: $19,000
Median Home Value: $23,900
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.
- Best: Underwood
- 2nd Best: Treynor
- 3rd Best: Swisher
For more reading, check out:
Ranking Of The 100 Worst Small Towns In Iowa
| City | Rank |
|---|---|
| Davis City | 1 |
| Alexander | 2 |
| Marathon | 3 |
| Garden Grove | 4 |
| Harris | 5 |
| Chester | 6 |
| Rake | 7 |
| Rowan | 8 |
| Cincinnati | 9 |
| Delta | 10 |
| Kensett | 11 |
| Mystic | 12 |
| Bristow | 13 |
| Lu Verne | 14 |
| Seymour | 15 |
| Milton | 16 |
| Hastings | 17 |
| Whitten | 18 |
| Webster | 19 |
| Exline | 20 |
| Hillsboro | 21 |
| Oto | 22 |
| Grant | 23 |
| Grand River | 24 |
| Hedrick | 25 |
| Lorimor | 26 |
| What Cheer | 27 |
| Searsboro | 28 |
| Corwith | 29 |
| Pisgah | 30 |
| Mcintire | 31 |
| Lehigh | 32 |
| College Springs | 33 |
| Latimer | 34 |
| Spragueville | 35 |
| Havelock | 36 |
| Monmouth | 37 |
| Lincoln | 38 |
| Denmark | 39 |
| Clutier | 40 |
| Linden | 41 |
| Hamilton | 42 |
| Little Sioux | 43 |
| Moulton | 44 |
| Oxford Junction | 45 |
| Washta | 46 |
| Goodell | 47 |
| Macksburg | 48 |
| Cantril | 49 |
| Bayard | 50 |
| Barnes City | 51 |
| Palmer | 52 |
| Lohrville | 53 |
| Eldon | 54 |
| Rolfe | 55 |
| Cumberland | 56 |
| Lineville | 57 |
| Ricketts | 58 |
| Dumont | 59 |
| Blockton | 60 |
| Harvey | 61 |
| Arion | 62 |
| Ollie | 63 |
| Ocheyedan | 64 |
| Defiance | 65 |
| Scranton | 66 |
| Conesville | 67 |
| Ringsted | 68 |
| Kellerton | 69 |
| Derby | 70 |
| Boxholm | 71 |
| Diagonal | 72 |
| Russell | 73 |
| Bonaparte | 74 |
| Auburn | 75 |
| Pilot Mound | 76 |
| Allerton | 77 |
| Lucas | 78 |
| Prairieburg | 79 |
| Floris | 80 |
| Moorland | 81 |
| Rose Hill | 82 |
| Beacon | 83 |
| Rippey | 84 |
| Salem | 85 |
| Duncombe | 86 |
| Jamaica | 87 |
| Waterville | 88 |
| Rome | 89 |
| Exira | 90 |
| St. Anthony | 91 |
| Mallard | 92 |
| Swea City | 93 |
| Gilmore City | 94 |
| Larrabee | 95 |
| Drakesville | 96 |
| Stockport | 97 |
| Lakota | 98 |
| Clearfield | 99 |
| Quimby | 100 |
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