The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 50461 sells for about $225,000, or $135 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.4% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 104 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $722 a month.
ZIP 50461 — Osage
The housing market in 50461 is currently balanced, characterized by steady demand and limited inventory. Prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, reflecting the stable economic conditions of this rural Iowa community.
This ZIP is ideal for families and retirees seeking a quiet, affordable small-town lifestyle with strong community ties and access to essential services.
Median prices moved up 4.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 104 days on market with 3.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 1.3% · poverty 9.8% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 50461, Mitchell County IA
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Osage are generally low, consistent with small-town Iowa trends and significantly below national urban averages.
The area is served by the Osage Community School District, which maintains a strong reputation for academic performance and community engagement.
The region faces moderate risks from severe thunderstorms and occasional flooding near the Cedar River, with standard insurance coverage typically available.
Economic momentum is driven by local manufacturing, agriculture, and small business development, with steady infrastructure maintenance by the city and county.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Iowa) — Iowa Property Tax Assessment Limitation: The taxable value is determined by applying an assessment limitation (rollback) to the assessed market value. The limitation is calculated annually to restrict the growth in aggregate taxable value for the residential class to 3% statewide.
Commutes are primarily local, with most residents working within Osage or nearby towns; major employment hubs like Mason City are accessible via a straightforward drive on US-218.
The area features several local parks, the Cedar River for fishing and boating, and proximity to regional golf courses and community sports facilities.
The rental market is stable with low vacancy pressure, primarily serving local workers and families; there is minimal short-term rental activity.
The economy is anchored by agriculture, manufacturing, and local retail, providing a stable employment base for the region.
Transportation is primarily automobile-dependent, with US-218 serving as the main arterial corridor for regional travel.
Development is focused on small-scale residential infill and local business improvements within the city limits.
The Mitchell County Assessor manages property valuations based on annual market assessments and state-mandated equalization processes.
Parcels are subject to Osage Community School District taxes and local municipal utility assessments.
Property insurance remains stable, though premiums reflect regional exposure to severe weather events common in the Midwest.
Data retrieved from census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Provides local fishing, boating, and recreational access.
Central community space for local events and outdoor activities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.