Is Ottumwa Safe, Pros and cons of living in Ottumwa
Ottumwa, Iowa, offers a unique blend of Midwestern charm and industrial history. Nestled along the Des Moines River, this southeastern Iowa city provides a glimpse into a community shaped by its agricultural roots and manufacturing heritage. From its early days as a vital stop on transportation routes to its current role as a regional hub, Ottumwa presents a compelling picture for those considering a change of scenery.
The city’s landscape is marked by its connection to the land and its industrial past, with key industries like manufacturing and meatpacking having played significant roles in its development. Ottumwa continues to evolve, balancing its historical identity with the needs of a modern community. This exploration delves into the various facets of life in Ottumwa, offering insights into its safety, cost of living, job market, climate, and educational opportunities.
Is it Safe to Live in Ottumwa?
Ottumwa’s crime rate is a significant consideration for potential residents. The city experiences a crime rate that is higher than the national average. Specifically, violent crimes in Ottumwa are reported to be higher than the national average by 10.6% (according to AreaVibes).
Property crime rates in Ottumwa are also notably above the national average, by 48.7% (according to AreaVibes). Overall, Ottumwa has a crime rate that is 42.2% higher than the national average (according to AreaVibes). This means that individuals in Ottumwa have a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of crime (according to AreaVibes).
Cost of Living in Ottumwa
Ottumwa presents a generally affordable cost of living, especially when compared to national averages. The overall cost of living in Ottumwa is approximately 3% lower than the U.S. national average (according to Salary.com). Housing costs in Ottumwa are notably more affordable than the U.S. average, though they can be higher than the state average.
Transportation and healthcare costs also contribute to Ottumwa’s affordability, with these expenses being lower than the national average. Food expenses in Ottumwa are also below the U.S. average (according to Salary.com). This affordability extends to rental markets as well, with a median rent of $1,000 per month (according to Realtor.com® Research).
Housing Costs
The housing market in Ottumwa offers a degree of affordability. The median listing price for a home in Ottumwa is approximately $149,900 (according to Realtor.com® Research). This median listing price reflects a 3.41% year-over-year increase, indicating steady appreciation (according to Realtor.com® Research).
For renters, the median rent in Ottumwa is around $1,000 per month (according to Realtor.com® Research). This figure suggests that rental options are generally accessible within the city. The homeownership rate in Ottumwa is 68.4%, which is higher than the national average (according to Data USA).
Job Market and Economy
Ottumwa’s economy is historically rooted in manufacturing and meatpacking, with major employers continuing to play a vital role in the community. Key industries in the area include manufacturing, retail trade, and health care and social assistance (according to Data USA).
Major employers in Ottumwa include JBS Live Pork, LLC, the Ottumwa Community School District, and Ottumwa Regional Health Center (according to Wikipedia). John Deere Ottumwa Works is also a significant employer, contributing to the city’s industrial base (according to Wikipedia).
Employment and Wages
The average annual salary in Ottumwa is approximately $59,389, which translates to about $28.55 per hour (according to ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Ottumwa was reported as $75,711 in 2024 (according to the U.S. Census Bureau, as cited by Point2Homes).
The unemployment rate in Ottumwa was 3.9% as of February 2026 (according to Data USA). This rate is lower than the long-term average (according to YCharts).
Climate in Ottumwa
Ottumwa experiences distinct seasonal weather patterns characteristic of the Midwest. Summers are warm, humid, and wet, while winters are cold, snowy, and windy (according to Google’s weather data). The temperature typically varies between 17°F and 87°F throughout the year.
The hottest month in Ottumwa is July, with average high temperatures around 86°F and lows of 67°F (according to Google’s weather data). Conversely, January is the coldest month, with average low temperatures around 18°F and highs of 33°F (according to Google’s weather data).
Precipitation and Rainfall
Ottumwa receives an average of 37 inches of precipitation annually, which includes rain and the liquid equivalent of snow or hail (according to myPerfectWeather). The wettest month is typically June, with an average rainfall of about 4.5 inches (according to Google’s weather data).
The drier season extends from late September to early April. January receives the least amount of rain, averaging around 0.4 inches (according to Google’s weather data). Snowfall averages approximately 24 inches annually (according to myPerfectWeather).
Education in Ottumwa
The Ottumwa Community School District serves the city’s K-12 student population. While the district as a whole faces challenges, some individual schools demonstrate strong performance. Eisenhower Elementary School and Horace Mann Elementary School are noted for their consistent high performance and strong test scores (according to SchoolDigger.com).
Ottumwa public schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% and a reading proficiency score of 55% (according to Niche). These scores are below the Iowa public school averages. The district itself is ranked among the lower-performing districts in the state (according to SchoolDigger.com).
School District Performance
The Ottumwa Community School District is ranked 299 out of 313 school districts in Iowa, earning a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger (according to SchoolDigger.com). This ranking reflects significant challenges within the district, including low overall performance and high poverty and absenteeism rates.
Despite the district’s overall standing, the success of schools like Eisenhower Elementary and Horace Mann Elementary suggests potential for improvement through replicating best practices. Niche provides Ottumwa High School with an overall grade of C, with specific ratings for academics, diversity, teachers, and college readiness (according to Niche).
Demographics of Ottumwa
Ottumwa has a population of approximately 25,529 residents, as recorded by the 2020 U.S. census (according to Wikipedia). The median age in Ottumwa is around 36.7 years (according to Data USA).
The racial makeup of Ottumwa is predominantly White, with 73.4% of the population identifying as Caucasian (according to Point2Homes). Other racial groups include African American (4.1%), Asian (2.5%), and smaller percentages of Indigenous American and Pacific Islander residents (according to Point2Homes).
Population and Households
The population of Ottumwa is fairly balanced in terms of gender, with 49.5% male and 50.5% female residents (according to Wikipedia). The city has approximately 10,098 households, with an average of 2 members per household (according to Wikipedia).
A significant portion of households, about 33.1%, are made up of individuals living alone (according to Wikipedia). Family households constitute 61.8% of all households in Ottumwa (according to Point2Homes).