The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 50644 sells for about $201,500, or $128 per square foot.
Prices are up +3.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 45 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $829 a month.
ZIP 50644 — Independence
The housing market in 50644 is characterized by steady, modest growth with low inventory and consistent demand from local buyers. Prices have seen a gradual upward trend over the last decade, supported by a stable local economy and limited new construction. Market conditions remain balanced, with no significant signs of volatility or rapid appreciation.
This ZIP is well-suited for families and long-term residents seeking an affordable, small-town lifestyle with a lower cost of living compared to larger Iowa metro areas.
Median prices moved up 3.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 45 days on market with 3.8 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 1.9% · poverty 6.7% — 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 4.3%/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 3.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 50644, Buchanan County IA
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Independence are generally low and consistent with regional trends for rural Iowa communities, with property crime being the primary concern.
The area is served by the Independence Community School District, which maintains a stable reputation for providing standard public education services in a small-town setting.
The region faces moderate risks from severe thunderstorms and occasional flooding near the Wapsipinicon River, with standard insurance coverage typically available.
Economic momentum is driven by local manufacturing, agriculture, and regional healthcare services, with steady but modest development activity.
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 traveling to nearby employment hubs like Waterloo and Cedar Falls via US-20.
The area features access to the Wapsipinicon River for water activities, local parks like Riverwalk Park, and proximity to regional golf courses and community sports facilities.
The rental market is tight with limited inventory, primarily consisting of single-family home conversions and small apartment complexes, with stable demand from local workers.
The economy is anchored by manufacturing, agricultural processing, and local government services, with a focus on regional stability.
Transportation is dominated by private vehicle use, with US-20 serving as the primary arterial highway for regional connectivity.
Development is focused on small-scale residential infill and infrastructure maintenance rather than large-scale commercial expansion.
The Buchanan County Assessor manages property valuations, utilizing a mass appraisal system to determine taxable values annually.
Parcels are subject to levies from the Independence Community School District and Buchanan County, with no major MUD/PID districts reported.
Property insurance remains stable, though premiums are influenced by regional exposure to wind and storm damage common in the Midwest.
Iowa is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process.
Sellers are required to provide a written disclosure statement regarding the condition of the property to potential buyers.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 50644 profile.
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.
- Cedar Rock State Park - Frank Lloyd Wright designed Walter Estate4.87.1 mi
- Iowa's Largest Frying Pan4.512.2 mi
- Fontana County Park4.79.4 mi
- Heartland Acres Agribition Center4.52.2 mi
- Oelwein City Park4.312.3 mi
- Cedar Rock State Park - Frank Lloyd Wright designed Walter Estate4.87.1 mi
- Fontana County Park4.79.4 mi
- Oelwein City Park4.312.3 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Scenic park along the Wapsipinicon River offering walking trails and picnic areas.
Local public golf course serving the community.
Historic site and museum showcasing local history.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.