Signals
Beatrice
Oskaloosa
Growth
69 · Top 21%
vs51 · Top 48%
Climate
58 · Bottom 19%
vs59 · Bottom 21%
Physical resilience
53 · Bottom 47%
vs70 · Top 28%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
77 · Top 49%
vs68 · Bottom 35%
Economic stability
64 · Top 34%
vs67 · Top 30%
Measured values
| Metric | Beatrice | Oskaloosa | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,629 | 22,021 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $67,247 | $70,940 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,811 | $36,118 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 25/sq mi | 39/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $174,000 | $157,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $774 | $793 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 73.5% | 68.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.1% | 24.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.6% | 12.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 98 | 65 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.5 | 3.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 117.8% | 18.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 88°F | 86°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 14°F | 14°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 31.3" | 37.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 41 mi | 55 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.5 min | 19.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.6 | 39.0 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Beatrice
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind, tornado.
Oskaloosa
Elevated or high exposure: heat wave, tornado, cold wave.
Full profiles: Beatrice, NE Micro Area · Oskaloosa, IA Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology