Everything You Should Know Before Moving to La Porte City, IA
Considering a move to La Porte City, IA? This small, welcoming town of 2,257 residents offers affordable living, with median home prices around $134,000 and rents near $720. Locals enjoy a low violent crime rate (90 per 100k), friendly neighborhoods, and quick commutes averaging 24 minutes. The area features highly rated public schools, strong community ties, and a classic Midwestern climate—perfect for those seeking quiet living with easy access to Waterloo and Cedar Falls.
Demographics - La Porte City, IA
Demographics - La Porte City, IA
La Porte City is a small, close-knit community of 2,257 people, with a median age of 41 and a balanced gender ratio. The city is predominantly White at 97%, and about 2.5% of residents speak a language other than English at home, reflecting a largely homogenous but welcoming population.
Population:
2,257
Density:
1,360 per sq mi
Median Age:
41.2
Gender Ratio:
100 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
2.5%

Ethnic Composition
White:
97.0%
Black:
0.7%
Asian:
0.4%
Others:
1.9%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in La Porte City, IA?
With a cost of living index of 87.5, La Porte City is an affordable place to settle, featuring median home values around $134,000 and average rents at $720. Daily expenses for utilities, groceries, and transportation are generally below national averages, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious families and individuals.
Median House Value:
$134,000
Gross Rent:
$720
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$110
Auto Insurance:
$930
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$1,030
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$425
State Taxes:
Low:
0.33%
|
High:
8.53%
Cost Of Living Index:
87.5
Grocery:
94.0
Housing:
65.5
Utilities:
95.2
Transportation:
80.1
Health Care:
95.0
Miscellaneous:
92.8
Crime
Is La Porte City, IA a safe place to live?
La Porte City offers a safe environment, with a notably low violent crime rate of 90 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 980 per 100,000. This means residents enjoy a strong sense of security, with the chance of experiencing violent crime at just 1 in 1,110.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
90
Property Crimes Per 100k:
980
Crime Index:
1,070
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 1,110
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 102
Weather
What is the weather like in La Porte City, IA year-round?
Residents in La Porte City experience all four seasons, with cold winters averaging lows of 10°F and warm summers reaching up to 84°F. The area receives about 36.5 inches of rainfall annually and enjoys sunshine about 52% of the year, making for a classic Midwestern climate.

Winter
Min:
10°F
Max:
30°F

Spring
Min:
37°F
Max:
64°F

Summer
Min:
62°F
Max:
84°F

Fall
Min:
38°F
Max:
65°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
36.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
52%
Neighbors
Households in La Porte City benefit from a median income of $65,700 and a low unemployment rate of 3.5%. The community is well-educated, with over 92% having at least a high school diploma, and residents enjoy short commute times averaging 24 minutes.
Median Income:
$40,800
Household Income:
$65,700
Family Income:
$81,500
Per Capita Income:
$33,200
Income Male:
$43,100
Income Female:
$34,900
Poverty Rate:
8.9%
Non English Speakers:
2.5%
Rent:
$720
Unemployment Rate:
3.5%
Public Transport Usage:
0.4%
Commute Time:
24.1 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
92.4%
Bachelors or More:
19.3%
Education
How are the schools in La Porte City, IA?
Families in La Porte City have access to well-rated public schools with favorable student-to-teacher ratios, such as Union High School and La Porte City Elementary. Higher education options are easily accessible, with Hawkeye Community College just 14 miles away and the University of Northern Iowa within a short drive.

Public Schools
Name:
Union High School
Street:
200 Adams St
Phone:
319-342-2697
Students:
325
Student Teacher Ratio:
13.5
Name:
La Porte City Elementary School
Street:
408 Main St
Phone:
319-342-3033
Students:
320
Student Teacher Ratio:
13.8

Colleges
Name:
Hawkeye Community College
City:
Waterloo
State:
IA
Distance:
14 miles
Students:
5,600
Name:
University of Northern Iowa
City:
Cedar Falls
State:
IA
Distance:
23 miles
Students:
9,200
Healthcare
Access to healthcare is strong in La Porte City, with major hospitals like UnityPoint Health and MercyOne nearby in Waterloo. The city boasts a high health insurance coverage rate of 95.2%, and residents benefit from a solid network of physicians and emergency services.

Major Hospitals
Name:
UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital
Address:
1825 Logan Ave, Waterloo, IA 50703
Phone:
(319) 235-3711
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center
Address:
3421 W 9th St, Waterloo, IA 50702
Phone:
(319) 272-8000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
1.6
Health Insurance Coverage:
95.2%
Health Care Index:
71.0
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in La Porte City, IA?
The housing market in La Porte City is stable and affordable, with a median home price of $134,000 and an owner-occupancy rate of 77.5%. Home values have seen moderate appreciation, and rental vacancies remain low, making it a favorable market for both buyers and renters.
Median Home Price:
$134,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$720
Owner Occupied Rate:
77.5%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
7.1%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.3%
New Construction Rate:
0.9%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
La Porte City residents are served by the Iowa Department of Transportation office in nearby Waterloo, offering convenient access to licensing and vehicle services. More information and online resources are available through the state’s official DMV website.
State:
Iowa
Department:
Iowa Department of Transportation
Address:
6310 US-63, Waterloo, IA 50701
Phone:
1-800-532-1121
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.