Is Dyersville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Dyersville
Dyersville, Iowa, offers a blend of small-town charm and practical amenities, making it an attractive location for those seeking a quieter pace of life. Nestled in the heart of Iowa’s picturesque landscape, the city provides a community-oriented atmosphere with access to essential services and recreational opportunities. Its strategic location also offers a reasonable commute to larger urban centers, balancing the benefits of rural living with convenient access to broader resources.
The city’s appeal is further enhanced by its commitment to maintaining a high quality of life for its residents. From its well-regarded school system to its diverse employment landscape, Dyersville strives to provide a supportive environment for families and individuals alike. This focus on community well-being, combined with a generally lower cost of living compared to national averages, positions Dyersville as a compelling option for relocation.
Is it Safe to Live in Dyersville?
Dyersville generally presents a safe environment for its residents, with crime rates significantly lower than the national average. The overall crime rate is reported to be 81.4% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes). Violent crime in Dyersville is also notably low, with rates 94% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes). This low incidence of crime contributes to a sense of security for those living in the city.
When examining specific crime statistics, Dyersville reports a violent crime rate of 21.9 per 100,000 people, with no reported murders in 2024 (according to OpenCrime). The city’s crime grade is an A-, indicating that its crime rate is lower than the average U.S. city and ranks in the 77th percentile for safety (according to CrimeGrade.org). Residents often consider the northern parts of Dyersville to be the safest areas within the city.
Housing Costs and Availability
Median Home Price
The median home value in Dyersville is approximately $234,100 as of 2024 (according to Data USA). This figure is about 1.3 times higher than the state median home value of $187,100 (according to Dyersville: Housing & Real Estate). The market shows resilience, with year-over-year price growth for median homes for sale at 7.97% (according to realtor.com®).
Dyersville’s housing market is considered hot, with a vacancy rate of 3.2% and new construction making up 26.0% of the housing stock (according to Dyersville: Housing & Real Estate). The homeownership rate stands at 79.8%, which is notably above the U.S. average of approximately 65% (according to Data USA, Dyersville: Housing & Real Estate).
Rental Market
The average rent in Dyersville, IA, is around $857 per month as of May 2026 (according to Apartments.com). This is significantly lower than the national average rent of $1,642 per month, making Dyersville a more affordable option for renters (according to Apartments.com). A one-bedroom apartment averages $857 per month, while a two-bedroom averages around $918 per month (according to Apartments.com).
Renting in Dyersville is considered affordable, with the rent as a percentage of income at 14.9% (according to Dyersville: Housing & Real Estate). To comfortably afford the average rent, an individual would need to earn approximately $2,856 per month or $34,272 annually, following the guideline of spending no more than 30% of income on rent (according to Apartments.com).
Cost of Living
Dyersville’s overall cost of living is approximately 9% lower than the national average (according to Payscale). This affordability extends to various aspects of daily life, making it an attractive place for individuals and families looking to manage their expenses.
Housing expenses in Dyersville are notably lower, being 30% below the national average (according to Payscale). Utility prices are also slightly lower than the national average by 2% (according to Payscale). While transportation expenses are about 4% higher than the national average, grocery prices are 2% lower (according to Payscale).
Job Market and Economy
Major Employers
Dyersville’s economy is supported by a diverse range of major employers. Key companies contributing to the local job market include Modernfold, Inc., TOMY International, Inc., EIMCo LLC, Faust Millwork & Cabinetry, Inc., and Bard Materials (according to Dyersville Economic Development Corporation, Dyersville Economic Development Corporation). These companies represent various sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and services.
Other significant employers in the area include Lumber Specialties, Scale Models, Farm Tek, and Mercy Medical Center (according to Dyersville Economic Development Corporation). The presence of these established businesses provides a stable employment base for the community.
Employment and Wages
As of 2024, employment in Dyersville has grown at a rate of 7.11%, with approximately 2,590 employees (according to Data USA). The most common employment sectors are Manufacturing, Retail Trade, and Finance & Insurance (according to Data USA). The most common job groups include Sales & Related Occupations, Office & Administrative Support Occupations, and Production Occupations.
The median wage in Dyersville is approximately $45,300 per year (according to ZipRecruiter). The estimated salary for a general worker is around $16.20 per hour (according to Indeed). The median household income in Dyersville is $74,168 (according to ZoomProspector), and the median income was reported as $49,058 in 2024 (according to Data Commons).
Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate in Dyersville is approximately 3.1% (according to Places.US.Com). This rate is generally considered healthy and is comparable to the state’s average. Iowa’s overall unemployment rate was 3.3% in March 2026 (according to USAFacts).
The unemployment rate reflects the percentage of the labor force actively seeking work but not currently employed. A rate of 3.1% suggests a robust job market with ample opportunities for those looking for employment.
Climate and Weather
Temperatures
Dyersville experiences distinct seasonal temperature variations. Summers are warm, with average high temperatures around 82°F in July, while winters are cold, with average low temperatures around 13°F in January (according to Dyersville Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Iowa, United States)). The annual temperature range typically falls between 13°F and 82°F, rarely dropping below -8°F or exceeding 90°F (according to Dyersville Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Iowa, United States)).
The warm season generally lasts from late May to mid-September, with daily high temperatures averaging above 71°F. The cold season spans from late November to early March, with daily high temperatures averaging below 38°F (according to Dyersville Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Iowa, United States)).
Precipitation
Dyersville receives considerable annual precipitation, averaging around 39 inches, which includes rain and the liquid equivalent of snow, hail, and freezing rain (according to Dyersville, Iowa, United States, Average Monthly Weather). June is typically the wettest month, with an average rainfall of 4.5 inches (according to Dyersville Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Iowa, United States)).
The city also experiences snowfall, with an average of 35 inches annually (according to Dyersville, Iowa, United States, Average Monthly Weather). The drier periods are generally from late December to mid-February, with January receiving the least amount of rain (according to Dyersville Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Iowa, United States)).
Education and Schools
Public Schools
Public school students in Dyersville are served by the Western Dubuque Community School District. Dyersville Elementary School, serving grades K-5, is a public school within the district (according to Dyersville, Iowa Wikipedia). It has approximately 321 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1 (according to Dyersville Elementary School – Niche).
Dyersville Elementary School shows strong performance in proficiency scores, with 72% of students proficient in math and 72% proficient in reading, which is above the Iowa public school average (according to Best Public Schools in 52040 (Dyersville, IA) (2026)). The school is ranked #220 out of 625 public elementary schools in Iowa (according to Dyersville Elementary School – Niche).
School District Performance
The Western Dubuque Community School District ranks 85th out of 313 Iowa school districts (according to SchoolDigger). While Dyersville Elementary School has a higher per-student spending than some neighboring schools, its academic performance has seen a decline in statewide rankings (according to SchoolDigger). However, the district overall aims to provide quality education to its students.
Students in middle school attend Drexler Middle School in Farley, and high school students attend Western Dubuque High School in Epworth (according to Dyersville, Iowa Wikipedia). The district emphasizes providing a comprehensive educational experience for all grade levels.
Demographics
Population and Age
Dyersville has a population of approximately 4,588 as of 2026, with a current growth rate of 0.33% annually (according to Dyersville, Iowa Population 2026). The population has increased by 1.96% since the most recent census in 2020 (according to Dyersville, Iowa Population 2026). The median age in Dyersville is 43 years old, with a slightly higher median age for females (45.6 years) than males (39.4 years) (according to Dyersville, Iowa Population 2026).
As of the 2020 census, 24.6% of residents were under age 18, and 20.3% were age 65 or older (according to Dyersville, Iowa Wikipedia). The median age was 40.4 years at that time (according to Dyersville, Iowa Wikipedia).
Race and Ethnicity
The racial composition of Dyersville is predominantly White. As of 2026, 94.44% of the population is White, with smaller percentages for other races, including “other race” (3.03%) and “two or more races” (2.13%) (according to Dyersville, Iowa Population 2026). In 2024, there were 30.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents than any other race or ethnicity (according to Data USA).
Hispanic or Latino residents constitute a small portion of the population, with 1.73% reported in 2026 (according to Dyersville, Iowa Population 2026). In 2024, the percentage of U.S. citizens in Dyersville was 97.4%, which is higher than the national average (according to Data USA).
Income and Poverty
The median household income in Dyersville is reported as $74,168 (according to ZoomProspector). This figure is higher than the median household income reported in 2024 ($49,058 according to Data Commons) and the median household income of $66,081 (according to Places.US.Com).
The poverty rate in Dyersville is approximately 4.88%, which is lower than the national average of 12.5% (according to Data USA). This indicates a relatively stable economic situation for a significant portion of the city’s population.