Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Only 1 of the 141 Iowa towns we compare have a higher January low than Montrose. Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church is on the National Register of Historic Places. Montrose has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Where Montrose beats most towns.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 1911.
1 place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Montrose, 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 Montrose.
2.1% of working residents work locally in Montrose, below both the Iowa town median (31%) and the median of U.S. towns (8%). The average trip to work in Montrose is 16 minutes. The top destinations are Keokuk (33%), Fort Madison (16%) and Burlington (5%).
| Montrose | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working residents who work in town | 2.1% | 31% | 8% |
| Average trip to work | 16 minutes | 19 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $66,000 | $69,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 12% | 11% | 9.6% |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 74% of U.S. communities. Since 2008, 3 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Montrose.
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Montrose has chilly winters and warm summers. Only 9 of the 141 Iowa towns we compare have a higher July high than Montrose.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
The typical Montrose home is worth about $191,000, up 9% in a year, 19% below the Iowa typical home. 91% of households own their home in Montrose, above both Iowa’s towns (70%) and U.S. towns (73%).
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Montrose beats the Iowa average on 2 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 4. 30% of Montrose adults feel lonely. Among 141 Iowa towns, just 10 have a lower share of adults who binge drink than Montrose.
| Montrose | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 30% | 32% | 33% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 20% | 16% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 15% | 14% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 21% | 23% |
| What stands out | Montrose | IA |
|---|---|---|
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 80.9% | 77.8% |
| More adults getting cholesterol checked | 86.3% | 84.1% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 10.8% | 8.7% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Riverview Park | — | 2 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
None within 15 miles of Montrose; the nearest are
About 2 of every 100 Montrose residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Iowa.
Where Montrose’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
City in Iowa, United States
Montrose is a city in Lee County, Iowa. The population was 738 at the time of the 2020 census. The town is located on the Mississippi River. It is part of the Fort Madison-Keokuk Micropolitan Statistical Area. Montrose developed as a small river community, with its location along the Mississippi River historically contributing to local commerce and transportation. Today, it remains a small residential community with close ties to nearby cities in the region.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Montrose has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
2 notable people were born here, including Nedra Volz and Cal McVey.
