Local servicesHospitalBuchanan County Health Center1.3 miPost officeIndependence Post Officeunder a mileTown hallIndependence City Hallunder a milePoliceBuchanan County Sheriff's Officeunder a mileFire stationIndependence Fire Departmentunder a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi6 schools2 elementary, 2 high, 2 otherSchoolSaint Johns Schoolunder a mileSchoolIndependence Christian Academyunder a mileElementaryEast Elementary Schoolunder a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportWaterloo Regional Airport ALO26 miMajor airportDes Moines International Airport DSM111 miInterstateI-38012 miUS highwayUS 202.5 miCoachWaterloo Union Bus DepotGreyhound23 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 50644 ZIP area.
Link copied! Press Ctrl+D to bookmark.
Local Information
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 50644 ZIP area.
Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 18 min5:30 am – 8:48 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 4 min7:33 am – 4:37 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People8,475 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 42.93,590 householdsMedian household income $79,861Median home value $174,000Median rent $770 a month78% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $2,626 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023
Work and commuting1.3% unemployment rate67% of adults are in the labour force, 4,562 employedMain industries: education and health care 23%, manufacturing 20%, retail 11%Average commute 23 minutes79% drive alone, 11% car-pool, 3% walk or cycle, 6% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023, ZIP area
Education and languages24% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher96% finished high school, 9% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 98%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 83°F, lows 62°FColdest month January: highs 27°F, lows 8°F37 in of rain a year, on about 68 dayswettest month June34 in of snow a year, on about 21 days12 days above 90°F, 151 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Independence #1 station, 4 mi away
Nearby landmarksFontana Lakelake · 7.6 miLittle Wapsipinicon Riverriver · 7.9 miLake Oelweinlake · 9.1 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsRiverwalk Parkpark · under a mileWapsi River Accesspark · under a mile · 60 acresOtterville Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 4.4 mi · 176 acresCedar Rockstate park · 7.5 miCedar Rock Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 7.5 mi · 153 acresCutshaw Bridge Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 9.2 miSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Very LowBuchanan County, IA, compared with all US countiesHighest-rated hazardsDrought Relatively ModerateHail Relatively ModerateSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality53% of days had good air in 2025195 of 365 days measured168 moderate, 1 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 1 unhealthy daysMedian index 49, worst day 158main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Black Hawk County, IA, 21 mi away
Internet at home88% of households have a broadband subscription73% have cable, fibre or DSL12% rely on a mobile data plan alone11% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023
Drinking waterIndependence Water Deptserves 6,064 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation906 ft276 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
