Ottumwa

Ottumwa, Iowa Overview

Ottumwa faces challenges across several categories, earning a C grade (48.7/100) and ranking #15 of 20 cities in Iowa. Even so, the city scores 76/100 in Affordability — a relative bright spot compared to its Outdoor Access score of 22/100.

Income & Employment in Ottumwa

Ottumwa’s median income of $56,994 is 21% below the state median, but positive population growth of 0.8% signals that affordability or other factors are still attracting residents. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%.

Safety in Ottumwa

Ottumwa reports 339.5 violent crimes per 100,000, roughly in line with the statewide rate of 295 per 100,000. The property crime rate is 2851.4 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Ottumwa

The median home value is $92,400. Median monthly rent is $956. Renters spend 20.1% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Ottumwa

The adult obesity rate in Ottumwa is 41.9%, above the national average and a factor in the city’s health profile. The diabetes prevalence rate is 13.3%. Residents report an average of 18 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Iowa ranks #22 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Ottumwa

Ottumwa has a high school graduation rate of 89%. The student-teacher ratio is 15.2:1. Per-pupil spending is $12,314. The city has 11 public schools serving 4,982 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Ottumwa

The annual average temperature in Ottumwa is 54.3°F. Summers average 74.6°F. Winters average 33.5°F. Annual precipitation is 32.5 inches. The average commute of 16.9 minutes is notably short.

Frequently Asked Questions