Peosta Tower 2, 2008
Peosta’s story
168 years in pictures
Census counts: 45 in 1940, 1,908 in 2020. The archive holds 5 old photos and papers going back to 2004 and 4 maps from 1901 on.
- 1858Peosta is settled
Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0
Population
2,225
2025 Census estimate · +16.4% since 2020
Typical home
$443K
+5.2% in a year
Household income
$121K
median
Median age
34.7
years
Jobs based here
1,719
A job hub
Is Peosta a good place to live?
Peosta’s best subject grades are an A for schools and an A− for safety and incomes; its weakest is a C− for walkability. Only 14 of Iowa’s 276 towns score lower on walkability. Only 9 of Iowa’s 276 towns score lower on history. NICC Outdoor Learning Lab, at 38 acres with 1.7 miles of trail, is the biggest park or preserve. Only 14 of Iowa’s 271 towns score lower on civic life. Peosta has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
What makes Peosta stand out
Where Peosta beats most towns.
Jobs vs. working residents
Jobs here1,719
Residents who work939
Work
1.8 jobs for every working resident
A regional job hub: more jobs per worker than 91% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023.
Western Dubuque Comm School District
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Peosta Elementary School | PK–5 | 425 |
SchoolsA
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
A growing town
Peosta has grown 61% since 2010
1,377 counted in 2010 and 1,908 in 2020; an estimated 2,225 in 2025.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Peosta grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Iowa), ordered by how far Peosta is from typical.
SchoolsAOpen →SafetyA−Open →Jobs & incomeA−Open →HealthMercyone Dubuque Medical Center 9.1 miles awayA−Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 23% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listA−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 5.2 of 20; 3.4% of households have no car; 1.1% of workers walk, bike or ride transitC−Open →Cost of livingB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors3 miles of trailsB−Open →HistoryDOpen →Civic life2.7 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsCOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateSnowy winters, 82° summer afternoons, 43″ of snow–Open →Housing market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 34.7; 43% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Peosta: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Peosta, and how to reach them.
PowerInterstate Power and Light17.8¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterPeosta Water SupplyNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet9 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpThursdayTrash dayTown site
Register to voteOnlineIn Iowa you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereDubuque County AuditorDubuque County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2026
ZIP code5206852068 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Peosta.
HousingCost of living grade B−
The typical home in Peosta is valued at about $443K
The typical Peosta home is worth about $443,000, up 5.2% in a year, 87% above the Iowa typical home. 88% of households own their home in Peosta, above both Iowa’s towns (70%) and U.S. towns (73%).
$443KZillow home value
| Peosta | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 88% | 70% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,056 a month | $911 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Peosta$443K
Iowa$237K
+5.2%
value change, 1 year
4
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
SchoolsA
Public schools in Peosta beat 87% of Iowa districts
Its public schools are run by the Western Dubuque Community School District. Its one school is below.
87%of IA districts it outscoresASchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peosta Elementary SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–5 | Grades PK–5 | 425 | A |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within IA on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A−
Peosta stands out in Iowa and nationally, with fewer of its residents who live below the poverty line
2.9% of residents live below the poverty line in Peosta, against 11% in Iowa’s towns and 9.6% across U.S. towns. The median household income in Peosta is $121,000. Most working residents leave Peosta for work: only 6% work in town.
6%work in town
| Peosta | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $121,000 | $69,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 6.5% | 31% | 8% |
| Below the poverty line | 2.9% | 11% | 9.6% |
| Work from home | 14% | 8.5% | 11% |
Where working residents work
In Peosta6%
Dubuque48%
Cedar Rapids3%
Davenport3%
Farley2%
9 mi
median commute distance
1,719
jobs based in Peosta
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
C−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 22% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
SafetyA−
Peosta is safer than 83% of U.S. towns, by crime per resident
Peosta’s violent crime rate is 0.4 per 1,000 residents.
83%of U.S. towns report more crimeA−Safety Grade
| Peosta | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0.4 per 1,000 residents | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 4 per 1,000 residents | 7.3 | 9.9 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Peosta0.4
Iowa2.4
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Peosta4
Iowa12
U.S.15.5
83rd
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
1
violent crimes reported in 2025
9
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
HealthA−
Peosta ranks healthier than 80% of the country’s towns
Peosta beats the Iowa average on 11 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 1. 24% of adults binge drink in Peosta. Only 5 of the 141 Iowa towns we compare have a lower share of adults who have high blood pressure than Peosta.
80%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Peosta | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 24% | 20% | 16% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 26% | 35% | 35% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 8% | 12% | 12% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 11% | 13% | 14% |
32 measures vs. Iowa
11 better20 too close to call1 worse
| What stands out | Peosta | IA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults with heart disease | 4.4% | 6.6% |
| Fewer adults who have had a stroke | 2.3% | 3.3% |
| Fewer adults treating high blood pressure | 72.3% | 77.8% |
Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center
9.1 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A−
Inland flooding leads a low hazard risk in Peosta
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 77% of U.S. communities.
23risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesCold waves
4
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
Snowy winters and pleasant summers in Peosta
Peosta has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. Only 5 of the 141 Iowa towns we compare have a lower July high than Peosta.
43″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter15–30°
Spring37–57°
Summer60–80°
Fall40–60°
Oct 11
typical first frost
Apr 28
typical last frost
+0.8°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
OutdoorsB−
Peosta has set aside 0% of its land for conservation
2.5 miles of trail in 3 parks and preserves.
0%conserved
0%
conserved · 0 of 1,804 acres
2.5 mi
of trails · 0.9 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. NICC Outdoor Learning Lab | 1.7 mi | 38 |
| 2. Kelly Oaks Park | 0.6 mi | 18 |
| 3. A.J. Spiegel Park | — | 20 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Nearby attractions
All 22 attractions →Charles Mound and 10 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Peosta. Close and well known come first.
31 mi MountainCharles Mound
38 mi National MonumentEffigy Mounds National Monument57K visitors a year
10 mi MuseumNational Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium250K visitors a year
10 mi TheatreFive Flags Center21 mi MuseumChicago Athenaeum
14 mi MuseumNational Farm Toy MuseumSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Charles Mound: Skye Marthaler, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Effigy Mounds National Monument: National Park Service, Public domain · National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium: Dirk Hansen, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Five Flags Center: Dirk Hansen, CC BY-SA 3.0 · National Farm Toy Museum: Madmaxmarchhare of English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Peosta
19pages on Peosta
The big questions
SchoolsABeat 87% of IA districts · 1 schoolSafetyA−0.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthA−Better than IA on 11 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingB−$443K typical home · up 5.2% in a yearWork & commuteA−$121K median household income · 1,719 jobs hereNatural hazardsA−FEMA risk higher than 23% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
6 within 15 miles of the center of Peosta
Divine Word CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Epworth4.8 mi$15,600 tuitionWartburg Theological SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Dubuque8.1 miEmmaus Bible CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Dubuque8.1 mi$20,800 tuition
About 5 of every 100 Peosta residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Iowa.
A job hub
Every workday, about 1,658 people come to Peosta for work
Where Peosta’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
1,719jobs based in Peosta
6%of working residents work in town
9 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Peosta
City in Iowa, United States
Peosta is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, and an exurb of the city of Dubuque. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,908 in the 2020 census, an increase of 193% from 651 in 2000. Peosta experienced a 70% increase in population (estimated) from 2000 to 2007, making it the state's 10th fastest-growing city during that period. Peosta is currently the sixth-largest city in Dubuque County. The community is home to the 2015 ASA D Northern Nationals Men's Slow Pitch Champions, Kass & Company, a large industrial park, the largest campus of Northeast Iowa Community College, and a handful of new commercial businesses. The city is increasing…
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 2.2 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,053 ft
- ZIP code
- 52068
Questions about Peosta
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Peosta, IA expensive?
That is 5.7 years of the area's median household income ($77,630 across the Dubuque, IA metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B−.