What are the schools like in Washta, IA?

Washta is served primarily by River Valley Comm School District. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.3:1.

What is the median household income in Washta?

The median household income in Washta, IA is $49,500 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 13.2%.

What is the weather like in Washta, IA?

Washta has an average high temperature of 25.7°F in January and 81.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 33.2 inches and annual snowfall averages 35.3 inches.

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

Q: Is Washta, IA affordable or expensive?

Washta's cost of living index is 82, where 100 represents the national average. This means Washta is 18% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $50,000 and the median rent is $556 per month.

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

Washta has a violent crime rate of 106.8 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 338.2 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Washta, IA a Good Place to Live?

Washta is a small town of 155 in Iowa, with a median household income of $49,500 and a 13.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 82 (US average = 100), which is 18% below the national average.

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

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

All Washta 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: 82.2

Washta's overall cost of living index is 82.2, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Washta costs roughly 18% less than the average American city.

Metric	Washta, IA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$50,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$556	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	86.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$49,500	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Washta's violent crime rate is 106.8 per 100,000 residents — 72% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

106.8 /100k

Property Crime

338.2 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Washta is served primarily by River Valley Comm School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.3:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Washta, IA	National Avg
School District	River Valley Comm School District	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	9.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	12.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	86.4%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Washta sees average highs of 25.7°F in January and 81.4°F in July, with 33.2 inches of annual precipitation and 35.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Washta, IA
Average High — January	25.7°F
Average High — July	81.4°F
Annual Precipitation	33.2"
Annual Snowfall	35.3"

Demographics

Metric	Washta, IA	National Avg
Population	155	—
Median Age	59.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	13.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	16.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	96.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	11.6%	22.2%
65 and over	40.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Quimby, IA 5 mi Correctionville, IA 7 mi Pierson, IA 8 mi Cushing, IA 8 mi Holstein, IA 11 mi

ZIP Codes in Washta

Washta, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code:

51061

Washta vs Other Cities

Washta, IA vs Quimby, IA Washta, IA vs Correctionville, IA Washta, IA vs Pierson, IA Washta, IA vs Cushing, IA Washta, IA vs Holstein, IA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washta, IA affordable or expensive?

Washta's cost of living index is 82, where 100 is the national average. That makes Washta roughly 18% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $50,000 and median rent is $556/month.

What is the crime rate in Washta, IA?

Washta's violent crime rate is 106.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 338.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Washta?

Public schools in Washta are operated by River Valley Comm School District. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.3:1. 12.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Washta, IA a good place to live?

Washta, IA has a population of 155, a median household income of $49,500, and an unemployment rate of 13.2%. 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 Washta?

Washta averages 25.7°F in January and 81.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 33.2 inches with about 35.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Washta?

Washta, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 51061.

What is the population of Washta?

The population of Washta, Iowa is 155 with a median age of 59.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Washta?

Key numbers for living in Washta: cost of living index 82 (100 = US average), median home $50,000, median household income $49,500, crime index 23 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Washta side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.