Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Employment
This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.
Shenandoah, Iowa is a small city with a population of 4,859 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Shenandoah is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Shenandoah offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 13 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Shenandoah could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Iowa if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Shenandoah 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, housing and other important metrics.
Shenandoah, IA receives 76 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #138 in Iowa and #2,678 in the USA. Compared to the national average, Shenandoah ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Shenandoah also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! For each of the livability categories, we know that Shenandoah ranks very well for crime (B-), cost of living (A+), education (A-) and housing (B+). Regrettably for Shenandoah, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and employment (F).
Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Shenandoah, the average school test scores are an impressive 76%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Shenandoah has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
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 Shenandoah is actually affordable. The median home price for Shenandoah homes is $90,200, which is 32.1% lower than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Shenandoah, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.1, which is 12.5% lower than the Iowa average.
| Statistic | Shenandoah | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 13min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.4% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 13.7% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 6.4% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 1.6% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
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