The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 50554 sells for about $85,600, or $55 per square foot.
Prices are down 7.3% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 112 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $521 a month.
ZIP 50554 — Laurens
The housing market in ZIP 50554 is characterized by low turnover and high affordability, with median home values significantly below the national average. Market activity is stable, driven by a small, rural population base and limited new development. Most metrics, including sales volume and inventory, remain consistent with long-term trends for this agricultural region.
This ZIP is best suited for local agricultural workers, retirees, and families seeking a low-cost, rural lifestyle with minimal housing expenses.
Median prices moved down 7.3% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 112 days on market with 7.0 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 6.2% · poverty 10.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 2.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 2.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 50554, Iowa
The area is served by the Laurens-Marathon Community School District, which provides local public education for the community.
The region is subject to standard Midwestern weather risks, including severe thunderstorms and occasional flooding; insurance coverage is generally available through standard carriers.
The local economy is primarily driven by agriculture and small-scale local commerce, with limited large-scale industrial development or major corporate infrastructure projects.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Iowa) — Iowa Property Tax Assessment Limitation: The taxable value is determined by applying an assessment limitation (rollback) to the assessed market value. The limitation is calculated annually to restrict the growth in aggregate taxable value for the residential class to 3% statewide.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents typically driving to nearby regional employment hubs in Pocahontas or Buena Vista counties.
Local amenities include small municipal parks and access to rural outdoor recreation, with limited large-scale shopping or entertainment venues within a 3-mile radius.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and modest demand, with rents remaining significantly below national averages.
The economy is heavily reliant on the agricultural sector, with local employment centered around farming, agribusiness, and essential community services.
There are no major commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in this ZIP.
Parcels are subject to standard county and school district levies; no special utility or hospital districts are explicitly noted.
Property insurance remains stable, though premiums are influenced by regional exposure to severe weather events.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates for ZCTA 50554.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.
Local municipal park providing green space and recreational facilities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.