What are the schools like in Dexter, IA?

Dexter is served primarily by West Central Valley Comm School District. The district operates 2 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1.

What is the median household income in Dexter?

The median household income in Dexter, IA is $72,083 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.0%.

What is the weather like in Dexter, IA?

Dexter has an average high temperature of 29.7°F in January and 85.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 37.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 30.7 inches.

Dexter, IA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Dexter, IA affordable or expensive?

Dexter's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means Dexter is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $152,900 and the median rent is $822 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Dexter, IA?

Dexter has a violent crime rate of 155.2 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 422.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Dexter, IA a Good Place to Live?

Dexter is a small town of 670 in Iowa, with a median household income of $72,083 and a 6.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

Strengths: Dexter stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Dexter is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Dexter city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 92.7

Dexter's overall cost of living index is 92.7, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Dexter costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	Dexter, IA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$152,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$822	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	81.9%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$72,083	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Dexter's violent crime rate is 155.2 per 100,000 residents — 59% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

155.2 /100k

Property Crime

422.7 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Dexter is served primarily by West Central Valley Comm School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Dexter, IA	National Avg
School District	West Central Valley Comm School District	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	20.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	98.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Dexter sees average highs of 29.7°F in January and 85.1°F in July, with 37.1 inches of annual precipitation and 30.7 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Dexter, IA
Average High — January	29.7°F
Average High — July	85.1°F
Annual Precipitation	37.1"
Annual Snowfall	30.7"

Demographics

Metric	Dexter, IA	National Avg
Population	670	—
Median Age	39.2	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	30.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	97.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.9%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.1%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	23.3%	22.2%
65 and over	16.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Diamondhead Lake, IA 3 mi Stuart, IA 5 mi Redfield, IA 5 mi Earlham, IA 6 mi Linden, IA 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Dexter

Dexter, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code:

50070

Dexter vs Other Cities

Dexter, IA vs Diamondhead Lake, IA Dexter, IA vs Stuart, IA Dexter, IA vs Redfield, IA Dexter, IA vs Earlham, IA Dexter, IA vs Linden, IA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dexter, IA affordable or expensive?

Dexter's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes Dexter roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $152,900 and median rent is $822/month.

What is the crime rate in Dexter, IA?

Dexter's violent crime rate is 155.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 422.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Dexter?

Public schools in Dexter are operated by West Central Valley Comm School District. The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1. 20.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Dexter, IA a good place to live?

Dexter, IA has a population of 670, a median household income of $72,083, and an unemployment rate of 6.0%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Dexter?

Dexter averages 29.7°F in January and 85.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.1 inches with about 30.7 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Dexter?

Dexter, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 50070.

What is the population of Dexter?

The population of Dexter, Iowa is 670 with a median age of 39.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Dexter?

Key numbers for living in Dexter: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $152,900, median household income $72,083, crime index 33 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Dexter side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.