Signals
Norfolk
Mason City
Growth
29 · Bottom 17%
vs13 · Bottom 5%
Climate
57 · Bottom 17%
vs54 · Bottom 9%
Physical resilience
27 · Bottom 15%
vs51 · Bottom 44%
Housing affordability
99 · Top 33%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
64 · Bottom 28%
vs62 · Bottom 23%
Economic stability
79 · Top 15%
vs68 · Top 28%
Measured values
| Metric | Norfolk | Mason City | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,653 | 49,982 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $65,968 | $68,926 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,224 | $41,222 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 31/sq mi | 52/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $204,700 | $162,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $882 | $842 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 68.8% | 72.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 23.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 10.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 105 | 49 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.2 | 1.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -62.6% | -57.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 86°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 12°F | 7°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 27.0" | 36.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 62 mi | 62 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 17.5 min | 18.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.2 | 44.0 | 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
Norfolk
Elevated or high exposure: hail, tornado, strong wind.
Mason City
Elevated or high exposure: drought, tornado, cold wave.
Your best match
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Norfolk
59
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Area Score
Mason City
58
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Norfolk, NE Micro Area · Mason City, IA Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology