Urbandale

Urbandale, Iowa Overview

Urbandale ranks #3 of 20 cities in Iowa, earning a A+ grade with a composite score of 65.7/100. The city stands out in Safety (94/100) and Fiscal Health (78/100), placing it among the state’s strongest performers across the metrics we track.

Income & Employment in Urbandale

Urbandale’s median household income of $113,086 is 56% above the Iowa median of $72,429, and its 2.7% unemployment rate undercuts the state’s 3%. That economic strength is drawing residents — the population grew 1.8% recently.

Safety in Urbandale

Urbandale’s violent crime rate of 125 per 100,000 is well below both the Iowa rate of 295 and national norms, making safety one of the city’s defining features. The property crime rate is 733.2 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Urbandale

The median home value is $318,800. Median monthly rent is $1,176. Renters spend 12.5% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Urbandale

The adult obesity rate in Urbandale is 34.6% (CDC PLACES). The diabetes prevalence rate is 9.7%. Residents report an average of 15.1 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Iowa ranks #22 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Urbandale

Urbandale’s high school graduation rate of 98.3% is well above average, reflecting strong local school performance. The student-teacher ratio is 14.6:1. Per-pupil spending is $12,392. The city has 8 public schools serving 5,567 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Urbandale

The annual average temperature in Urbandale is 53°F. Summers average 74.4°F. Winters average 30.6°F. Annual precipitation is 26.7 inches. The average commute of 16.2 minutes is notably short.

Frequently Asked Questions