The Town FilesOskaloosa, Iowa
City in Mahaska County · population 11,558 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $153,300
- Household income
- $64,004
- Jan low / Jul high
- 12° / 86°
- Snow a year
- 27 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 17
- Median age
- 37.6
Oskaloosa is a city of 11,558 people in Mahaska County, Iowa. The median home is worth $153,300, close to the typical Iowa town ($156,300). It ranks more walkable than 95% of Iowa towns, better for young professionals than 93% of Iowa towns, more vibrant than 92% of Iowa towns.
How Oskaloosa ranks
Percentile among Iowa towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Iowa towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Oskaloosa is worth $153,300, close to the typical Iowa town ($156,300). Homes cost about 2.4 times the median household income of $64,004, which is more affordable than 41% of Iowa towns. Median rent is $831 a month. 60.8% of households own their home.
| Housing | Oskaloosa | Typical Iowa town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $153,300 | $156,300 |
| Median rent | $831 | $820 |
| Median household income | $64,004 | $69,254 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.4× | 2.2× |
| Homeownership | 60.8% | 77.1% |
| Median year built | 1966 | 1962 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 2.2% | — |
Who lives in Oskaloosa
| People | Oskaloosa | Typical Iowa town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.6 | 40.2 |
| Age 65 and over | 20.4% | 20.0% |
| Under 18 | 21.9% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 21.8% |
| Below the poverty line | 16.6% | 9.3% |
| Veterans | 5.5% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.9% | — |
| Work from home | 6.5% | 7.1% |
| Average commute | 16.0 min | 21.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 88.8% | 88.5% |
Weather in Oskaloosa
July highs average 85.5°F and January lows 12.2°F. About 38.7 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 27.4 inches of snow (typical Iowa town: 32.5 in). Expect about 15 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 144 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
17 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Oskaloosa since 1950, compared with 24 for the typical Iowa town. 4 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F4, struck on June 7, 1984 about 8.6 miles from the town center. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 1 deaths and 32 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on July 19, 2018.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 50 times; the largest was 3.00 inches on June 5, 2011.
Severe weather in Mahaska County since 1996
Mahaska County has been included in 20 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, hurricane, snowstorm.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2020 | Biological | DR-4483: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3480: Covid-19 |
| March 23, 2019 | Flood | DR-4421: Severe Storms And Flooding |
| August 5, 2014 | Severe Storm | DR-4187: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding |
| July 2, 2013 | Severe Storm | DR-4126: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Mahaska County
Mahaska County had 7,887 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $55,503 a year. Unemployment was 2.6% in 2023; in Oskaloosa itself the ACS puts it at 4.8%.
Public schools in Oskaloosa
4 public schools with 2,066 students, about 13.3 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oskaloosa Elementary School | K-5 | 896 | 12.1 |
| Oskaloosa High School | 9-12 | 620 | 15.5 |
| Oskaloosa Middle School | 6-8 | 430 | 11.3 |
| Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK | PK-PK | 120 | 40.0 |
Towns near Oskaloosa
- Pella, IA16.3 mi · 10,464 people · home $292,700
- Albia, IA20.2 mi · 3,721 people · home $130,300
- Ottumwa, IA21.8 mi · 25,529 people · home $106,300
- Knoxville, IA24.0 mi · 7,595 people · home $160,300
Oskaloosa questions
Is Oskaloosa, Iowa a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Oskaloosa scores better for retirees than 28% of Iowa towns and quieter than 5%. 20.4% of residents are 65 or older (median age 37.6).
How much does a house cost in Oskaloosa?
The median owner-occupied home in Oskaloosa is valued at $153,300 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $64,004, so homes cost about 2.4 times income. Median rent is $831 a month.
What is the weather like in Oskaloosa?
July highs average 85.5°F and January lows 12.2°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 38.7 inches of precipitation a year and 27.4 inches of snow.
Does Oskaloosa get tornadoes?
17 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Oskaloosa since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F4 on June 7, 1984. The typical Iowa town has had 24.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)