Le Mars 82 Exceptional
Le Mars Livability #48 ranked city in Iowa#1,235 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Le Mars

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

What's it like Living in Le Mars?

Located in the state of Iowa, Le Mars is a mid-sized city with a population of 10,368 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (93% White). Given that fact, Le Mars could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Le Mars will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 14 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Le Mars, Iowa. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Le Mars and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, commute, education and other important metrics.

Le Mars, IA receives 80 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #59 in Iowa and #1,559 in the USA. Based on this score, Le Mars would be considered a very livable city! Another exciting tidbit, is that Le Mars ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Le Mars has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (B+), cost of living (A+), education (A+), employment (A-) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Le Mars. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Le Mars, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 94 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Le Mars, the unemployment rate stands at 1.8%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Le Mars, the average school test scores reached an impressive 72%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Le Mars an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Le Mars excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Le Mars is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Le Mars come in at $303,411, which is 26.4% higher than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Le Mars, the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 0% lower than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Le Mars

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Compare Le Mars, IA Livability

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      Le Mars transportation information

      Statistic Le Mars Iowa National
      Average one way commute14min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.2%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.7%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.5%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home3.6%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Le Mars, IA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.