Signals
McPherson
Pella
Growth
64 · Top 28%
vs80 · Top 6%
Climate
61 · Bottom 30%
vs58 · Bottom 19%
Physical resilience
75 · Top 21%
vs73 · Top 24%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
67 · Bottom 33%
vs82 · Top 38%
Economic stability
85 · Top 9%
vs87 · Top 6%
Measured values
| Metric | McPherson | Pella | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,205 | 33,642 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $78,851 | $78,680 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,426 | $40,274 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 34/sq mi | 61/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $211,200 | $233,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $916 | $884 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 75.5% | 77.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 32.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.5% | 8.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 126 | 218 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.2 | 6.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 29.9% | 118.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 93°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 13°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 28.3" | 36.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 53 mi | 33 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 16.2 min | 22.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.4 | 39.9 | 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
McPherson
Elevated or high exposure: hail, heat wave.
Pella
Elevated or high exposure: drought, tornado, heat wave.
Full profiles: McPherson, KS Micro Area · Pella, IA Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology