Livability Awards
Ottumwa is a mid-sized city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 24,709 inhabitants. The majority of Ottumwa residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If finding a family friendly city is important to you, look no further. With more than 71% of the population considered married and 61% with kids under the age of 18, Ottumwa could be considered a very suitable city for families.
Living in Ottumwa can be a great experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Iowa, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! The best areas in Ottumwa and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Iowa and national averages.
The livability score in Ottumwa is 68/100 and the city is ranked in the 54th percentile of all cities across America. There are seven total categories that create the livability score. Ottumwa ranks well for amenities (B+), cost of living (A+) and education (B+). On a less positive note, Ottumwa does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F), weather (D-), employment (D-) and housing (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Based on the proximity of local amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, librairies, etc., Ottumwa has received a higher than average score for its local amenities. If you’re planning on relocating and making this area your permanent home, it’s nice to know that there is an ample amount of amenities and things to do within walking distance or a short drive.
Cost of living can have a huge effect on what’s left in your wallet at the end of each month. From housing costs to health care, it is important to know that the place you call home is also an affordable place to live. In Ottumwa, the cost of living is 21.67% less than the national average, which means that after paying those bills, there might actually be a little something left over!
The average school test scores in Ottumwa are 67%. This far exceeds the national average and ensures that this educational system will provide your children with the skills and the tools they need to thrive.
Ottumwa real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Ottumwa. The median home price for Ottumwa homes is $73,200, which is 44.9% lower than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Ottumwa, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.9, which is 20.8% lower than the Iowa average. Knowing if your home will appreciate on a long term or even a short term basis should be factored into your decision making. An increase in your home’s value can be a good way to generate tax-free equity that can create long term financial security. In the past year, appreciation rates for homes in the Ottumwa area were 6.7% and 5 year appreciation rates were 2.1%.
| Statistic | Ottumwa | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.7% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 13.3% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.5% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.0% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.7% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
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