140 years in pictures
Census counts: 193 in 1900, a peak of 354 in 1970, 222 in 2020. The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2004 and 2 maps from 1972 on.
- 1886Meservey is settled
Each edition grades its towns against each other only.

A town of 211, settled in 1886.
Meservey has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Census counts: 193 in 1900, a peak of 354 in 1970, 222 in 2020. The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2004 and 2 maps from 1972 on.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Meservey, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
Ordered by what stands out in Meservey.
The typical home value in Meservey is about $103,000, up 3.1% in a year, 57% below the Iowa typical home. Meservey: 72% of households are owner-occupiers, close to both Iowa’s towns (70%) and U.S. towns (73%).
| Meservey | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $631 a month | $911 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 72% | 70% | 73% |
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Among 141 Iowa towns, just 3 have a lower income of the median household than Meservey. The share of residents in Meservey who live below the poverty line: 32%. The top destinations are Mason City (30%), Rockwell (9%) and Clear Lake (7%). For half of commuters, work is under 21 miles away.
| Meservey | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty line | 32% | 11% | 9.6% |
| Average trip to work | 32 minutes | 19 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $47,000 | $69,000 | $80,000 |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
In Meservey, the typical July afternoon high is 82°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Nearly a fifth of adults binge drink in Meservey. Against the Iowa average, Meservey comes out ahead on 1 CDC measures out of 32, and behind on 6.
| Meservey | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 41% | 38% | 35% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 38% | 35% | 35% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 20% | 16% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 15% | 14% |
| What stands out | Meservey | IA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 7.4% | 11.6% |
| More adults with heart disease | 8.5% | 6.6% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Federal aid has come to Meservey households in 2 declared disasters; the latest was in 2008. Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 55% of U.S. communities. FEMA puts just over two fifths of the town’s expected hazard losses down to drought, and 28% to inland flooding.
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
None within 15 miles of Meservey; the nearest are
About 3 of every 100 Meservey residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Iowa.
Where Meservey’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
City in Iowa, USA
Meservey is a city in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 222 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Meservey has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.