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Cresco, Iowa

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Current weather forecast for Cresco, IA

Population in 2022: 3,940 (94% urban, 6% rural).
Population change since 2000: +0.9%
 
Males: 1,959  (49.7%)
Females: 1,981  (50.3%)
Median resident age:

40.0 years
Iowa median age:

39.1 years

Zip codes: 52136.

Estimated median household income in 2023: $59,345 (it was $32,236 in 2000)
Cresco:

$59,345
IA:

$71,433

Estimated per capita income in 2023: $28,509 (it was $18,190 in 2000)

Cresco city income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2023: $114,544 (it was $64,100 in 2000)
Cresco:

$114,544
IA:

$213,300

Mean prices in 2023: all housing units: $140,894; detached houses: $140,413

Median gross rent in 2023: $814.

December 2024 cost of living index in Cresco: 74.6 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2023: 11.3%
(8.0% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 100.0% for Black residents, 63.7% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 63.4% for other race residents, 48.3% for two or more races residents)
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  • Races in Cresco, IA (2023)
    • 3,56591.1%White alone
    • 1924.9%Hispanic
    • 902.3%Two or more races
    • 220.6%American Indian alone
    • 100.3%Asian alone
    • 110.3%Other race alone
    • 50.1%Black alone

Races in Cresco detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth



According to our research of Iowa and other state lists, there were 9 registered sex offenders living in Cresco, Iowa as of September 25, 2025.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Cresco is 430 to 1.
The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is near the state average.


Crime rates in Cresco by year

Type

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018
Murders
(per 100,000)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(26.6)
Rapes
(per 100,000)		0
(0.0)		1
(25.7)		0
(0.0)		2
(51.4)		1
(25.8)		1
(26.0)		1
(26.1)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)
Robberies
(per 100,000)		1
(25.9)		3
(77.2)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)
Assaults
(per 100,000)		2
(51.7)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		3
(77.0)		2
(51.5)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)
Burglaries
(per 100,000)		41
(1,060)		34
(874.5)		9
(231.8)		10
(256.8)		14
(360.5)		8
(208.1)		8
(209.1)		5
(131.6)		6
(159.4)
Thefts
(per 100,000)		56
(1,448)		41
(1,055)		25
(643.8)		25
(642.0)		40
(1,030)		39
(1,014)		21
(548.9)		15
(394.8)		18
(478.3)
Auto thefts
(per 100,000)		4
(103.4)		6
(154.3)		2
(51.5)		0
(0.0)		3
(77.3)		4
(104.0)		0
(0.0)		2
(52.6)		2
(53.1)
Arson
(per 100,000)		3
(77.6)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(25.7)		0
(0.0)		1
(26.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)
City-Data.com crime index158.5159.546.1100.2103.584.357.529.287.7

The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 240.7. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities.

Click on a table row to update graph
City-data.com crime index in Cresco, IA

Crime rate in Cresco detailed stats: murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, arson

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2023, including police officers: 7 (7 officers - 7 male; 0 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.77
Iowa average:

1.81
Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.
Cresco, IA forum
Recent posts about Cresco, Iowa on our local forum with over 2,500,000 registered users. Cresco is mentioned 18 times on our forum:
Anyone moved to Iowa from Minn.? Seriously thinking about it.  (36 replies)
Looking for for Safe, Inexpensive Smaller Cities/Towns  (10 replies)
Nordic Fest information.  (11 replies)
****Hi there retired, looking at Decorah IA as possible retirement location  (27 replies)
Future Iowa Interstates?  (21 replies)
Need your help! :) Looking for info on Decorah, IA or a comparable small town  (18 replies)

Latest news from Cresco, IA collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (37.9%), Norwegian (17.5%), Polish (10.8%), American (8.5%), Irish (4.8%), Czech (4.3%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Incorporated on 06/6/1868

Elevation: 1290 feet

Land area: 3.30 square miles.

Population density: 1,195 people per square mile   (low).

Cresco, Iowa map

24 residents are foreign born

This city:

0.6%
Iowa:

5.7%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2023: $1,825 (1.4%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2023: $1,970 (2.0%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Rochester, MN (48.5 miles , pop. 85,806).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: St. Paul, MN (120.0 miles , pop. 287,151).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (249.4 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Ridgeway, IA (2.9 miles ),
Lime Springs, IA (3.1 miles ),
Protivin, IA (3.3 miles ),
Harmony, MN (3.7 miles ),
Canton, MN (3.8 miles ),
Spillville, IA (3.8 miles ),
Chester, IA (3.8 miles),
Decorah, IA (4.1 miles )

Latitude: 43.37 N, Longitude: 92.12 W

Daytime population change due to commuting: +682 (+17.4%)
Workers who live and work in this city: 1,426 (71.4%)

Area code: 563

Distribution of median household income in Cresco, IA in 2023
Distribution of house value in Cresco, IA in 2023
Cresco satellite photo by USGS

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2023: 5 buildings, average cost: $336,200
  • 2022: 2 buildings, average cost: $450,000
  • 2021: 7 buildings, average cost: $250,000
  • 2020: 4 buildings, average cost: $289,000
  • 2019: 4 buildings, average cost: $252,500
  • 2018: 4 buildings, average cost: $350,000
  • 2017: 1 building, cost: $200,000
  • 2016: 6 buildings, average cost: $204,200
  • 2015: 2 buildings, average cost: $225,000
  • 2014: 1 building, cost: $320,000
  • 2013: 4 buildings, average cost: $176,300
  • 2012: 4 buildings, average cost: $212,500
  • 2011: 4 buildings, average cost: $240,800
  • 2010: 4 buildings, average cost: $222,800
  • 2009: 5 buildings, average cost: $147,800
  • 2008: 22 buildings, average cost: $156,000
  • 2007: 8 buildings, average cost: $147,500
  • 2006: 12 buildings, average cost: $160,600
  • 2005: 13 buildings, average cost: $141,100
  • 2004: 10 buildings, average cost: $100,900
  • 2003: 3 buildings, average cost: $80,000
  • 2002: 7 buildings, average cost: $106,400
  • 2001: 9 buildings, average cost: $106,700
  • 2000: 16 buildings, average cost: $85,300
  • 1999: 8 buildings, average cost: $94,400
  • 1998: 13 buildings, average cost: $96,000
  • 1997: 10 buildings, average cost: $80,400
Number of permits per 10,000 Cresco, IA residents
Average permit cost in Cresco, IA
Unemployment in November 2024:
Here:

2.8%
Iowa:

3.1%
Historical population in Cresco, IA
Historical housing units in Cresco, IA

Population change in the 1990s: +221 (+6.0%).
Most common industries in Cresco, IA (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2023
  • Manufacturing (26.4%)
  • Health care & social assistance (18.9%)
  • Retail trade (18.5%)
  • Educational services (10.4%)
  • Construction (5.3%)
  • Accommodation & food services (4.1%)
  • Public administration (2.6%)
Most common industries for males in 2023
  • Manufacturing (41.2%)
  • Retail trade (21.5%)
  • Construction (10.4%)
  • Administrative & support & waste management services (4.2%)
  • Educational services (3.7%)
  • Utilities (3.5%)
  • Health care & social assistance (3.0%)
Most common industries for females in 2023
  • Health care & social assistance (35.1%)
  • Educational services (17.2%)
  • Retail trade (15.4%)
  • Manufacturing (11.2%)
  • Accommodation & food services (6.8%)
  • Finance & insurance (4.3%)
  • Public administration (4.0%)
Most common occupations in Cresco, IA (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (7.2%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (5.5%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (5.2%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (3.9%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (3.7%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (3.0%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (3.0%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (10.4%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (7.4%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (6.2%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.9%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (4.7%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (3.9%)
  • Other material moving workers, except laborers (3.7%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (6.4%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (5.6%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (5.5%)
  • Registered nurses (4.9%)
  • Information and record clerks, except customer service representatives (4.7%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (4.7%)
  • Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (4.7%)

Average climate in Cresco, Iowa

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Cresco, Iowa average temperatures Cresco, Iowa average precipitation Cresco, Iowa humidity Cresco, Iowa wind speed Cresco, Iowa snowfall Cresco, Iowa sunshine Cresco, Iowa clear and cloudy days

Cresco, Iowa environmental map by EPA

Map Legend

Tornado activity:

Cresco-area historical tornado activity is slightly below Iowa state average. It is 57% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 5/15/1968, a category F5 (max. wind speeds 261-318 mph) tornado 12.7 miles away from the Cresco city center killed 13 people and injured 462 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.

On 5/5/1965, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 6.8 miles away from the city center injured 11 people and caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Cresco-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Iowa state average. It is 85% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 250.3 miles away from Cresco center
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 405.8 miles away from the city center
On 6/28/2004 at 06:10:52, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 210.9 miles away from the city center
On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 384.3 miles away from Cresco center
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi) earthquake occurred 405.8 miles away from the city center
On 6/5/1993 at 01:24:53, a magnitude 4.1 (4.1 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 260.2 miles away from Cresco center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Howard County (23) is greater than the US average (19).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 17
Emergencies Declared: 1

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 17, Storms: 17, Tornadoes: 11, Winds: 5, Heavy Rain: 1, Hurricane: 1, Winter Storm: 1, Other: 2 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Cresco topographic map

Main business address for: FEATHERLITE INC (TRUCK TRAILERS).

Hospitals and medical centers in Cresco:

  • REGIONAL HEALTH SERVICES OF HOWARD COUNTY (Voluntary non-profit - Other, 235 8TH AVENUE WEST)
  • COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES (327 EIGHTH AVENUE WEST)
  • CRESCO CARE CENTER (701 VERNON ROAD SW)
  • EVANS MEMORIAL HOME (1010 NORTH ELM STREET)
  • PATTY ELWOOD CENTER (21668 80TH STREET)

Airports located in Cresco:

College/University in Cresco:

  • Total Look School of Cosmetology & Massage Therapy (Full-time enrollment: 25; Location: 806 W Third St; Private, for-profit; Website: www.totallookschool.com/)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Cresco:

  • Luther College (about 17 miles; Decorah, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,700)
  • Northeast Iowa Community College-Calmar (about 19 miles; Calmar, IA; FT enrollment: 3,365)
  • Upper Iowa University (about 41 miles; Fayette, IA; FT enrollment: 5,275)
  • Rochester Community and Technical College (about 47 miles; Rochester, MN; FT enrollment: 4,444)
  • Riverland Community College (about 50 miles; Austin, MN; FT enrollment: 2,321)
  • Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (about 51 miles; Winona, MN; FT enrollment: 4,022)
  • Winona State University (about 53 miles; Winona, MN; FT enrollment: 8,397)

Public high school in Cresco:

Public elementary/middle schools in Cresco:

Private elementary/middle school in Cresco:

See full list of schools located in Cresco

Library in Cresco:

  • CRESCO PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $222,798; Location: 320 N ELM ST; 30,053 books; 868 audio materials; 1,030 video materials; 10 local licensed databases; 25 state licensed databases; 1 other licensed databases; 65 print serial subscriptions)

User-submitted facts and corrections:

  • There is also a school for cosmetology and massage therapy

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear city borders

Notable locations in Cresco: Howard County Fairground (A), Sovereign Grain Services Elevator (B), Chimney Rock Canoe Rental and Campground (C), Cresco City Fire Department (D), Howard County Museum (E), Cresco First Responders (F), Howard County Law Library (G), Howard County Courthouse (H), Howard County Log Cabin Museum (I), Kellow House - Howard County Museum (J), Cresco City Hall (K), Cresco City Library (L), Howard County Sherriffs Office (M). Display/hide their locations on the map

Churches in Cresco include: First Lutheran Church (A), United Methodist Church (B), Saint Joseph Church (C), Immanuel Lutheran Church (D), First Congregational Church (E), First Baptist Church (F), Faith Baptist Church (G), Church of Christ (H), Assumption Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Parks in Cresco include: Kessel Park (1), East Park (2), Evans Park (3), Beadle Park (4). Display/hide their locations on the map

Hotels: Cresco Motel (620 2nd Avenue Southeast), Super 8 Motel (511 2nd Avenue Southeast).

Birthplace of: Edouard Izac - Navy Medal of Honor recipient, Edward Howard (bishop) - Catholic bishop, Tami Hoag - Romantic fiction writer, David G. Bronner - Chief executive.

Howard County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Cresco and their reported violations in the past:

CRESCO WATERWORKS (Address: 130 N PARK PLACE , Population served: 3,893, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) - Between APR-2005 and JUN-2005, Contaminant: Chlorine. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (MAY-04-2005), St Formal NOV issued (MAY-04-2005), St Compliance achieved (JUL-08-2005), St Public Notif received (APR-06-2006), St Compliance achieved (MAY-04-2006)
  • Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) - Between JAN-2005 and MAR-2005, Contaminant: Chlorine. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (MAY-04-2005), St Formal NOV issued (MAY-04-2005), St Compliance achieved (JAN-08-2007)
PRAIRIES EDGE NATURE CENTER (Population served: 150, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - Between APR-2006 and JUN-2006, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (MAY-11-2006), St Public Notif requested (MAY-18-2006), St Formal NOV issued (MAY-18-2006), St Compliance achieved (JAN-08-2008)
COUNTRY WINDS MANOR INC-RESIDENTIAL CARE (Address: 21668 80TH ST , Population served: 115, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Single Sample - In MAR-2014, Contaminant: Nitrate. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (MAR-06-2014), St Formal NOV issued (MAR-06-2014), St Public Notif received (MAR-17-2014)
  • MCL, Single Sample - In JAN-2012, Contaminant: Nitrate. Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (JAN-06-2012), St Public Notif requested (JAN-06-2012), St Public Notif received (JAN-19-2012), St Compliance achieved (FEB-06-2012)
Past monitoring violations:
  • Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In JUN-01-2013, Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (NOV-20-2013), St Formal NOV issued (NOV-20-2013), St Public Notif received (DEC-04-2013), St AO (w/o penalty) issued (JAN-14-2014)
  • Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) - Between JAN-2005 and MAR-2005, Contaminant: Chlorine. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (MAY-02-2005), St Formal NOV issued (MAY-02-2005), St Compliance achieved (MAR-31-2006)
  • 2 routine major monitoring violations
  • 46 regular monitoring violations
LIDTKE PARK (Population served: 50, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - Between JUL-2012 and SEP-2012, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (JUL-18-2012), St Formal NOV issued (JUL-26-2012), St Public Notif requested (JUL-26-2012), St Public Notif received (AUG-27-2012), St Compliance achieved (OCT-09-2012)
Past monitoring violations:
  • Monitoring, Repeat Major (TCR) - In OCT-2009, Contaminant: Coliform (TCR). Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (DEC-01-2009), St Public Notif requested (DEC-01-2009), St Compliance achieved (MAY-04-2010)
  • One routine major monitoring violation
LAKE HENDRICKS PARK (WEST WELL) (Population served: 29, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JUN-2014, Contaminant: Coliform
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - Between APR-2014 and JUN-2014, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (MAY-14-2014), St Formal NOV issued (MAY-29-2014), St Public Notif requested (MAY-29-2014)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In SEP-2010, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (SEP-16-2010), St Public Notif requested (SEP-16-2010), St BCA signed (OCT-06-2010), St Other (DEC-09-2010), St Public Notif received (APR-15-2011), St Compliance achieved (MAY-03-2011), St BCA signed (MAY-24-2011)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In AUG-2010, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (AUG-26-2010), St Public Notif requested (AUG-26-2010), St BCA signed (OCT-06-2010), St Other (DEC-09-2010), St Compliance achieved (MAY-03-2011), St BCA signed (MAY-24-2011)
  • MCL, Acute (TCR) - Between JUL-2010 and SEP-2010, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (AUG-12-2010), St Public Notif requested (AUG-12-2010), St BCA signed (OCT-06-2010), St Other (DEC-09-2010), St Public Notif received (APR-15-2011), St Compliance achieved (MAY-03-2011), St BCA signed (MAY-24-2011)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - Between JUL-2010 and SEP-2010, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (JUL-29-2010), St BCA signed (OCT-06-2010), St Other (DEC-09-2010), St Public Notif received (APR-15-2011), St Compliance achieved (MAY-03-2011), St BCA signed (MAY-24-2011)
Past monitoring violations:
  • Monitoring, Repeat Major (TCR) - In JUN-2014, Contaminant: Coliform (TCR)
  • Monitoring, Repeat Major (TCR) - In APR-2014, Contaminant: Coliform (TCR). Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (JUN-18-2014), St Formal NOV issued (JUN-18-2014), St Compliance achieved (JUN-30-2014)
  • Monitoring, Repeat Major (TCR) - In OCT-2010, Contaminant: Coliform (TCR). Follow-up actions: St BCA signed (OCT-06-2010), St Compliance achieved (NOV-16-2010), St Public Notif requested (NOV-17-2010), St Formal NOV issued (NOV-17-2010), St Other (DEC-09-2010), St Public Notif received (APR-15-2011), St BCA signed (MAY-24-2011)

Drinking water stations with addresses in Cresco that have no violations reported:

  • LAKE HENDRICKS PARK (EAST WELL) (Population served: 192, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
Average household size:
This city:

2.3 people
Iowa:

2.4 people

Percentage of family households:
This city:

58.0%
Whole state:

64.7%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This city:

7.7%
Whole state:

6.7%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 0.0% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.1% of all households

People in group quarters in Cresco in 2010:

  • 84 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
  • 26 people in residential treatment centers for adults
  • 9 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
  • 4 people in hospitals with patients who have no usual home elsewhere

People in group quarters in Cresco in 2000:

  • 110 people in nursing homes
  • 27 people in religious group quarters
  • 8 people in other group homes
  • 4 people in halfway houses

Banks with branches in Cresco (2011 data):

  • C US Bank: C Us Bank at 111 North Elm Street, branch established on 1888/04/01. Info updated 2008/07/31: Bank assets: $344.2 mil, Deposits: $281.3 mil, local headquarters, positive income, Agricultural Specialization, 5 total offices, Holding Company: How-Win Development Co.
  • Decorah Bank & Trust Company: Cresco Branch at 126 2nd Avenue Se, branch established on 1996/08/19. Info updated 2007/11/20: Bank assets: $338.4 mil, Deposits: $274.0 mil, headquarters in Decorah, IA, positive income, Agricultural Specialization, 3 total offices, Holding Company: Security Agency, Inc.

For population 15 years and over in Cresco:

Marital status in Cresco, IA
  • Never married: 29.7%
  • Now married: 54.3%
  • Separated: 1.1%
  • Widowed: 4.4%
  • Divorced: 10.5%

For population 25 years and over in Cresco:

  • High school or higher: 95.1%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 19.9%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 5.8%
  • Unemployed: 2.5%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 15.4 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2023
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2023
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

8.7
Iowa average:

10.7

Travel time (in minutes) to work in 2023
Means of transportation to work in 2023 - Cresco
Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Cresco, IA (based on Howard County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic3,9305
Mainline Protestant2,91414
Evangelical Protestant1,1048
Other2-
None1,616-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 3
Here:

3.15 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 2
Howard County:

2.10 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

0.43 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 7
This county:

7.36 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

5.55 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 11
Here:

11.56 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

8.01 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Howard County:

8.3%
Iowa:

7.8%
Adult obesity rate:
Howard County:

27.1%
Iowa:

27.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
This county:

15.9%
Iowa:

14.5%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
Cresco:

49.9%
State:

49.5%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
This city:

44.8%
Iowa:

46.1%

Average BMI:
This city:

28.4
Iowa:

28.6

People feeling badly about themselves:
This city:

21.2%
Iowa:

21.4%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
Cresco:

6.5%
Iowa:

10.4%

Average hours sleeping at night:
Cresco:

6.8
Iowa:

6.8

Overweight people:
This city:

31.1%
Iowa:

33.8%

General health condition:
Cresco:

56.4%
Iowa:

55.9%

Average condition of hearing:
Here:

74.8%
State:

77.7%

More about Health and Nutrition of Cresco, IA Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2022)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Police Protection - Officers 6$14,121$28,2421$1,461
Parks and Recreation 5$16,514$39,63432$10,792
Streets and Highways 5$20,739$49,7740$0
Financial Administration 4$13,866$41,5980$0
Sewerage 3$14,679$58,7160$0
Water Supply 2$9,865$59,1900$0
Local Libraries 1$4,258$51,0966$10,646
Other Government Administration 1$5,241$62,8920$0
Airports 0$0 1$136
Totals for Government 27$99,282$44,12540$23,036

Cresco government finances - Expenditure in 2022 (per resident):

  • Construction - Water Utilities: $244,000 ($61.93)
    Sewerage: $211,000 ($53.55)
    Solid Waste Management: $50,000 ($12.69)
    Regular Highways: $6,000 ($1.52)
  • Current Operations - Parks and Recreation: $1,053,000 ($267.26)
    Solid Waste Management: $825,000 ($209.39)
    Regular Highways: $781,000 ($198.22)
    Sewerage: $776,000 ($196.95)
    Police Protection: $632,000 ($160.41)
    Water Utilities: $491,000 ($124.62)
    Financial Administration: $254,000 ($64.47)
    Libraries: $250,000 ($63.45)
    General - Other: $184,000 ($46.70)
    Local Fire Protection: $181,000 ($45.94)
    Correctional Institutions: $91,000 ($23.10)
    General Public Buildings: $48,000 ($12.18)
    Air Transportation: $30,000 ($7.61)
    Central Staff Services: $19,000 ($4.82)
    Housing and Community Development: $10,000 ($2.54)
    Judicial and Legal Services: $7,000 ($1.78)
    Public Welfare - Other: $5,000 ($1.27)
    Health - Other: $3,000 ($0.76)
    Parking Facilities: $2,000 ($0.51)
  • General - Interest on Debt: $68,000 ($17.26)
  • Intergovernmental to Local - Other - General - Other: $114,000 ($28.93)
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $1,678,000 ($425.89)

Cresco government finances - Revenue in 2022 (per resident):

  • Charges - Sewerage: $839,000 ($212.94)
    Solid Waste Management: $685,000 ($173.86)
    Parks and Recreation: $460,000 ($116.75)
    Other: $39,000 ($9.90)
  • Federal Intergovernmental - Other: $449,000 ($113.96)
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $65,000 ($16.50)
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $408,000 ($103.55)
    Rents: $96,000 ($24.37)
    Special Assessments: $86,000 ($21.83)
    Interest Earnings: $30,000 ($7.61)
    Fines and Forfeits: $4,000 ($1.02)
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $599,000 ($152.03)
  • State Intergovernmental - Other: $600,000 ($152.28)
  • Tax - Property: $2,090,000 ($530.46)
    General Sales and Gross Receipts: $686,000 ($174.11)
    Other License: $54,000 ($13.71)
    Other Selective Sales: $46,000 ($11.68)
    Public Utilities Sales: $28,000 ($7.11)

Cresco government finances - Debt in 2022 (per resident):

  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $2,528,000 ($641.62)
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $2,225,000 ($564.72)
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $303,000 ($76.90)
Businesses in Cresco, IA
NameCountNameCount
Ace Hardware1Pizza Hut1
Alco Stores1RadioShack1
Chevrolet1Subway1
FedEx1Super 81
H&R Block1U.S. Cellular1
Long John Silver's1UPS1
MasterBrand Cabinets2

Strongest AM radio stations in Cresco:

  • KXEL (1540 AM; 50 kW; WATERLOO, IA; Owner: KXEL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)
  • WCTS (1030 AM; 50 kW; MAPLEWOOD, MN; Owner: CNTL. BAPT. THEO/AL SEMI MINNEAPOLIS)
  • KFAN (1130 AM; 50 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
  • KOLM (1520 AM; 10 kW; ROCHESTER, MN; Owner: OLMSTED COUNTY BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • KWLC (1240 AM; 1 kW; DECORAH, IA; Owner: LUTHER COLLEGE)
  • WCCO (830 AM; 50 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: INFINITY MEDIA CORPORATION)
  • WKTY (580 AM; 5 kW; LA CROSSE, WI; Owner: FAMILY RADIO, INC.)
  • WHO (1040 AM; 50 kW; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KNFX (970 AM; 5 kW; AUSTIN, MN; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • KSTP (1500 AM; 50 kW; ST. PAUL, MN; Owner: KSTP-AM, LLC (DELAWARE))
  • WSPT (1010 AM; 50 kW; STEVENS POINT, WI)
  • KCNZ (1250 AM; 10 kW; CEDAR FALLS, IA; Owner: FIFE COMMUNICATION COMPANY, L.C.)
  • KFIL (1060 AM; daytime; 1 kW; PRESTON, MN; Owner: KFIL, INC.)

Strongest FM radio stations in Cresco:

  • KCZQ (102.3 FM; CRESCO, IA; Owner: MEGA MEDIA, LTD.)
  • KROC-FM (106.9 FM; ROCHESTER, MN; Owner: SOUTHERN MINNESOTA BROADCASTING CO.)
  • KVIK (104.7 FM; DECORAH, IA; Owner: WENNES COMMUNICATIONS STATIONS, INC.)
  • KDEC-FM (100.5 FM; DECORAH, IA; Owner: DECORAH BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KOEL-FM (92.3 FM; OELWEIN, IA; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)
  • KFIL-FM (103.1 FM; PRESTON, MN; Owner: KFIL, INC.)
  • K268AF (101.5 FM; DECORAH, IA; Owner: FAITH SOUND, INC.)
  • KQYB (98.3 FM; SPRING GROVE, MN; Owner: FAMILY RADIO, INC.)
  • KNEI-FM (103.5 FM; WAUKON, IA; Owner: WENNES COMMUNICATIONS STATIONS, INC.)
  • KCZE (95.1 FM; NEW HAMPTON, IA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • KLCD (89.5 FM; DECORAH, IA; Owner: MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO INC)

TV broadcast stations around Cresco:

  • KTTC (Channel 10; ROCHESTER, MN; Owner: KTTC TELEVISION, INC.)
  • KYIN (Channel 24; MASON CITY, IA; Owner: IOWA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD)
  • KSMQ-TV (Channel 15; AUSTIN, MN; Owner: INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT #492)
  • K14AF (Channel 14; DECORAH, IA; Owner: IOWA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD)
  • WXOW-TV (Channel 19; LA CROSSE, WI; Owner: WXOW-WQOW TELEVISION, INC.)

Medal of Honor Recipients

Medal of Honor Recipient born in Cresco: Edouard Victor Michel Izac.

Cresco fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 2022
Fatal road traffic accident statistics for 1975 - 2022

Cresco fatal accident list:

Jul 15, 2011 02:38 PM, 2nd St E, 6th Ave E, Lat: 43.377944, Lon: -92.113403, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 2, Fatalities: 1
Dec 5, 2011 06:48 PM, 3rd Street E, Lat: 43.379619, Lon: -92.111197, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Pedestrians: 1, Fatalities: 1
FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers: 1 (See the full list of FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers in Cresco)
FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 31 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers)
FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 16 (See the full list of FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers in Cresco, IA)
FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 11 (See the full list of FCC Registered Microwave Towers in this town)
FCC Registered Maritime Coast & Aviation Ground Towers: 2 (See the full list of FCC Registered Maritime Coast & Aviation Ground Towers)
FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 44 (See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Cresco)

FAA Registered Aircraft: 8 (See the full list of FAA Registered Aircraft in Cresco)

2002 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents

    Fire incident distribution by year According to the data from the years 2002 - 2018 the average number of fire incidents per year is 12. The highest number of fires - 26 took place in 2014, and the least - 1 in 2002. The data has a constant trend.
    Fire incident types in Cresco, IA When looking into fire subcategories, the most incidents belonged to: Structure Fires (49.3%), and Outside Fires (33.2%).

    • Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Cresco, IA
    • 10149.3%Structure Fires
    • 6833.2%Outside Fires
    • 2914.1%Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires
    • 73.4%Other
See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Cresco, IA
Most common first names in Cresco, IA among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
Mary6986.5 years
William5680.8 years
John5580.1 years
Joseph5178.1 years
Frank4680.9 years
Edward4278.5 years
Anna4185.5 years
George3579.4 years
Emma3085.6 years
Leonard2976.0 years
Most common last names in Cresco, IA among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Bigalk2679.1 years
Jones2278.1 years
Herold2086.4 years
Anderson1780.1 years
Henry1682.7 years
Sobolik1681.6 years
Smith1578.4 years
Wilson1577.1 years
Johnson1475.2 years
Barnes1482.8 years
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Cresco, IA
  • 88.2%Utility gas
  • 6.4%Electricity
  • 2.1%Wood
  • 1.8%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 0.7%Other fuel
  • 0.7%No fuel used
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Cresco, IA
  • 78.1%Utility gas
  • 13.2%Electricity
  • 4.8%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 3.9%Other fuel


Cresco compared to Iowa state average:

  • Median house value below state average.
  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Median age below state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
  • House age above state average.
  • Number of college students significantly below state average.

Cresco on our top lists:

  • #97 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the largest percentage of people in religious group quarters (population 1,000+)"
  • #42 (52136) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of taxpayers using paid preparers for 2012 taxes (pop 5,000+)"
  • #49 (52136) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Norwegian first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"
  • #50 (52136) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Czech first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"
There are 9 pilots and 3 other airmen in this city.
Cost of Living Calculator
Top Patent Applicants
Top Patent Applicants
  • Troy Murphy (11)
  • Mark A. Voves (3)
  • Donald K. Blaess (2)
  • Robert M. Gast (1)
  • Scott R. Ollendieck (1)
  • Melanee Omar (1)
  • Randy J. Svoboda (1)
  • Nick Vandervort (1)
  • Mark Voves (1)
  • Christian Eckard (1)

Total of 21 patent applications in 2008-2025.

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