Beacon, Iowa

Submit your own pictures of this city and show them to the world

  • OSM Map
  • General Map
  • Google Map
  • MSN Map
Population in 2021: 439 (78% urban, 22% rural).
Population change since 2000: -15.3%
 
Males: 238  (54.4%)
Females: 201  (45.6%)
Median resident age:

44.1 years
Iowa median age:

38.5 years

Zip codes: 52534, 52577.

Beacon Zip Code Map
Estimated median household income in 2021: $48,182 (it was $32,000 in 2000)
Beacon:

$48,182
IA:

$65,600

Estimated per capita income in 2021: $30,101 (it was $16,972 in 2000)

Beacon city income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2021: $70,324 (it was $40,000 in 2000)
Beacon:

$70,324
IA:

$174,400

Mean prices in 2021: all housing units: $79,671; detached houses: $103,077; mobile homes: $28,489

Median gross rent in 2021: $814.

March 2022 cost of living index in Beacon: 75.1 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2021: 15.0%
(14.6% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 24.0% for Black residents, 17.4% for two or more races residents)

Compare current foreclosures near Beacon, IA:

Check out more offers near Beacon, IA.
Powered by Foreclosure.com
Settings
X
Data:
Loading data...
Based on 2000-2020 data
Loading data...

123
Hide US histogram
  • Races in Beacon, IA (2021)
    • 49688.7%White alone
    • 335.9%Two or more races
    • 244.3%Black alone
    • 50.9%Asian alone

Races in Beacon detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth



According to our research of Iowa and other state lists, there were 2 registered sex offenders living in Beacon, Iowa as of March 19, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Beacon is 265 to 1.


Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.
Beacon, IA forum
Recent posts about Beacon, Iowa on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Beacon is mentioned 20 times on our forum:
16 colors to choose from for lighting The Financial Center  (8 replies)
How Do You Like Living In Iowa?  (574 replies)

Latest news from Beacon, IA collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: Dutch (24.4%), American (18.3%), Irish (9.6%), German (7.1%), English (4.1%), Scottish (4.1%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Incorporated on 02/7/1874

Elevation: 750 feet

Land area: 1.01 square miles.

Population density: 436 people per square mile   (low).

Beacon, Iowa map

5 residents are foreign born

This city:

0.9%
Iowa:

5.5%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2021: $1,461 (1.2%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2021: $678 (1.3%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Des Moines, IA (53.4 miles , pop. 198,682).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Omaha, NE (173.2 miles , pop. 390,007).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (261.7 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Oskaloosa, IA (1.5 miles ),
University Park, IA (1.8 miles ),
Leighton, IA (2.6 miles),
Keomah Village, IA (2.8 miles),
Eddyville, IA (2.9 miles ),
Bussey, IA (3.4 miles ),
Rose Hill, IA (3.4 miles ),
Kirkville, IA (3.6 miles )

Latitude: 41.28 N, Longitude: 92.68 W

Area code commonly used in this area: 641

Distribution of median household income in Beacon, IA in 2021
Distribution of house value in Beacon, IA in 2021
Beacon satellite photo by USGS
Unemployment in November 2020:
Here:

2.6%
Iowa:

3.0%
Population change in the 1990s: +25 (+5.1%).
Most common industries in Beacon, IA (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Metal & metal products (21.2%)
  • Machinery (15.3%)
  • Construction (6.6%)
  • Administrative & support & waste management services (6.2%)
  • Repair & maintenance (5.8%)
  • Health care (5.1%)
  • Transportation equipment (4.0%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Metal & metal products (27.9%)
  • Machinery (23.1%)
  • Construction (9.5%)
  • Repair & maintenance (6.8%)
  • Transportation equipment (2.7%)
  • Food & beverage stores (2.7%)
  • Truck transportation (2.7%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Metal & metal products (13.4%)
  • Administrative & support & waste management services (11.8%)
  • Health care (11.0%)
  • Machinery (6.3%)
  • Transportation equipment (5.5%)
  • Educational services (5.5%)
  • Department & other general merchandise stores (4.7%)
Most common occupations in Beacon, IA (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (13.9%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (13.1%)
  • Assemblers and fabricators (7.3%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (5.5%)
  • Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (4.7%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.7%)
  • Laborers and material movers, hand (4.4%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (19.0%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (16.3%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (10.2%)
  • Assemblers and fabricators (8.2%)
  • Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (6.8%)
  • Carpenters (5.4%)
  • Laborers and material movers, hand (5.4%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Financial clerks, except bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks (9.4%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (9.4%)
  • Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (7.9%)
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (7.9%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (7.1%)
  • Assemblers and fabricators (6.3%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (5.5%)

Average climate in Beacon, Iowa

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Beacon, Iowa average temperatures Beacon, Iowa average precipitation Beacon, Iowa humidity Beacon, Iowa wind speed Beacon, Iowa snowfall Beacon, Iowa sunshine Beacon, Iowa clear and cloudy days

Tornado activity:

Beacon-area historical tornado activity is near Iowa state average. It is 77% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 5/20/1959, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 30.3 miles away from the Beacon city center injured 5 people and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.

On 5/10/1953, a category F4 tornado 37.3 miles away from the city center caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Beacon-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Iowa state average. It is 205% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 320.8 miles away from the city center
On 9/3/2016 at 12:02:44, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.5 mi) earthquake occurred 406.0 miles away from the city center
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi) earthquake occurred 320.8 miles away from Beacon center
On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 305.4 miles away from Beacon center
On 9/26/1990 at 13:18:51, a magnitude 5.0 (4.7 MB, 4.8 LG, 5.0 LG, Depth: 7.7 mi) earthquake occurred 330.4 miles away from the city center
On 6/28/2004 at 06:10:52, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 196.6 miles away from Beacon center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Mahaska County (19) is greater than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 17
Emergencies Declared: 1

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 14, Storms: 12, Tornadoes: 6, Winter Storms: 2, Hurricane: 1, Snow: 1, Wind: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Beacon topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers near Beacon:

  • CRYSTAL HEIGHTS CARE CENTER (Nursing Home, about 2 miles away; OSKALOOSA, IA)
  • GEORGIAN COURT OF OSKALOOSA (Nursing Home, about 2 miles away; OSKALOOSA, IA)
  • SIESTA PARK MANOR (Nursing Home, about 2 miles away; OSKALOOSA, IA)
  • HEARTLAND HOME CARE (Home Health Center, about 3 miles away; OSKALOOSA, IA)
  • IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES (Hospital, about 3 miles away; OSKALOOSA, IA)
  • MAHASKA HEALTH PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY HEALTH (Home Health Center, about 4 miles away; OSKALOOSA, IA)
  • MAHASKA HEALTH PARTNERSHIP Critical Access Hospitals (about 4 miles away; OSKALOOSA, IA)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Beacon:

  • Indian Hills Community College (about 22 miles; Ottumwa, IA; Full-time enrollment: 4,034)
  • Drake University (about 56 miles; Des Moines, IA; FT enrollment: 3,768)
  • Des Moines Area Community College (about 57 miles; Ankeny, IA; FT enrollment: 15,337)
  • University of Iowa (about 66 miles; Iowa City, IA; FT enrollment: 24,735)
  • Kirkwood Community College (about 70 miles; Cedar Rapids, IA; FT enrollment: 11,503)
  • Iowa State University (about 73 miles; Ames, IA; FT enrollment: 28,662)
  • Truman State University (about 76 miles; Kirksville, MO; FT enrollment: 5,553)

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear city borders

Notable location: Beacon (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Church in Beacon: Beacon United Methodist Church (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Mahaska County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential
Average household size:
This city:

2.3 people
Iowa:

2.4 people

Percentage of family households:
This city:

67.6%
Whole state:

64.7%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This city:

8.5%
Whole state:

6.7%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 0.5% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.0% of all households

For population 15 years and over in Beacon:

Marital status in Beacon, IA
  • Never married: 33.8%
  • Now married: 46.6%
  • Separated: 0.4%
  • Widowed: 4.9%
  • Divorced: 14.3%

For population 25 years and over in Beacon:

  • High school or higher: 84.2%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 4.2%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 0.6%
  • Unemployed: 4.5%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 19.7 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2021
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2021
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

6.1
Iowa average:

10.4

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Beacon, IA (based on Mahaska County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Mainline Protestant4,49720
Evangelical Protestant4,03926
Catholic1,0401
Other3552
None12,450-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 4
Mahaska County:

1.80 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Mahaska County:

0.45 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

0.23 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 1
This county:

0.45 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

0.43 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 14
Mahaska County:

6.29 / 10,000 pop.
State:

5.55 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 8
Mahaska County:

3.60 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

8.01 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Mahaska County:

7.4%
State:

7.8%
Adult obesity rate:
Here:

27.7%
Iowa:

27.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Mahaska County:

16.5%
Iowa:

14.5%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
Beacon:

41.7%
Iowa:

49.5%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
Here:

43.1%
Iowa:

46.1%

Average BMI:
This city:

29.6
State:

28.6

People feeling badly about themselves:
This city:

22.7%
Iowa:

21.4%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
Here:

15.3%
Iowa:

10.4%

Average hours sleeping at night:
Beacon:

6.8
Iowa:

6.8

Overweight people:
Beacon:

26.1%
Iowa:

33.8%

General health condition:
This city:

57.5%
Iowa:

55.9%

Average condition of hearing:
This city:

83.6%
Iowa:

77.7%

More about Health and Nutrition of Beacon, IA Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2017)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Other Government Administration 0$0 2$500
Financial Administration 0$0 1$225
Totals for Government 0$0 3$725

Beacon government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident):

  • Current Operations - General - Other: $37,000 ($84.28)
    Regular Highways: $37,000 ($84.28)
    Local Fire Protection: $13,000 ($29.61)
    Police Protection: $12,000 ($27.33)
    General Public Buildings: $8,000 ($18.22)
    Financial Administration: $7,000 ($15.95)
    Central Staff Services: $5,000 ($11.39)
    Libraries: $4,000 ($9.11)
    Health - Other: $2,000 ($4.56)
  • Intergovernmental to Local - Other - General - Other: $13,000 ($29.61)
    Other - Police Protection: $12,000 ($27.33)
    Other - Libraries: $4,000 ($9.11)
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $12,000 ($27.33)

Beacon government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident):

  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $2,000 ($4.56)
    Rents: $2,000 ($4.56)
  • State Intergovernmental - Highways: $41,000 ($93.39)
  • Tax - Property: $53,000 ($120.73)
    General Sales and Gross Receipts: $44,000 ($100.23)
    Public Utilities Sales: $6,000 ($13.67)
    Other Selective Sales: $3,000 ($6.83)

Beacon government finances - Cash and Securities in 2017 (per resident):

  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $296,000 ($674.26)

Strongest AM radio stations in Beacon:

  • WHO (1040 AM; 50 kW; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KBOE (740 AM; 0 kW; OSKALOOSA, IA; Owner: JOMAST CORPORATION)
  • KXEL (1540 AM; 50 kW; WATERLOO, IA; Owner: KXEL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)
  • KPSZ (940 AM; 10 kW; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF IOWA, LLC)
  • KBGG (1700 AM; 10 kW; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • WHB (810 AM; 50 kW; KANSAS CITY, MO; Owner: UNION BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KOIL (1020 AM; 50 kW; PLATTSMOUTH, NE; Owner: WAITT RADIO, INC.)
  • KFAB (1110 AM; 50 kW; OMAHA, NE; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • KCJJ (1630 AM; 10 kW; IOWA CITY, IA; Owner: RIVER CITY RADIO, INC.)
  • KRNT (1350 AM; 5 kW; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF IOWA, LLC)
  • WOI (640 AM; 5 kW; AMES, IA; Owner: IOWA STATE UNIV., OF SCIENCE & TECH.)
  • KBIZ (1240 AM; 1 kW; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: FAIRFIELD MEDIA GROUP, INC.)
  • WSUI (910 AM; 5 kW; IOWA CITY, IA; Owner: THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA)

Strongest FM radio stations in Beacon:

  • KCWN (99.9 FM; NEW SHARON, IA; Owner: CROWN BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • KBOE-FM (104.9 FM; OSKALOOSA, IA; Owner: JOMAST CORPORATION)
  • KKSI (101.5 FM; EDDYVILLE, IA; Owner: O-TOWN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • KLBA-FM (96.7 FM; ALBIA, IA; Owner: H & H BROADCASTING CORPORATION)
  • KIGC (88.7 FM; OSKALOOSA, IA; Owner: WILLIAM PENN COLLEGE)
  • KAZR (103.3 FM; PELLA, IA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF IOWA, LLC)
  • KOTM-FM (97.7 FM; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: FMC BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KRLS (92.1 FM; KNOXVILLE, IA; Owner: M AND H BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KTWA (92.7 FM; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: FAIRFIELD MEDIA GROUP, INC.)

TV broadcast stations around Beacon:

  • WOI-TV (Channel 5; AMES, IA; Owner: CAPITAL COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, INC.)
  • KDIN-TV (Channel 11; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: IOWA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD)
  • KYOU-TV (Channel 15; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: WAITT BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • K51FJ (Channel 51; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • K55GS (Channel 55; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • KPWB-TV (Channel 23; AMES, IA; Owner: PAPPAS TELECASTING OF IOWA, L.L.C.)
  • KDSM-TV (Channel 17; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: KDSM LICENSEE, LLC)
  • K10OO (Channel 10; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: RICHARD P. JACKSON, JR.)
  • KCCI (Channel 8; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: DES MOINES HEARST-ARGYLE TV, INC.)
  • WHO-TV (Channel 13; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: NEW YORK TIMES MANAGEMENT SERVICES)
  • K49DX (Channel 49; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • K45EE (Channel 45; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • K65GA (Channel 65; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • K31ED (Channel 31; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • K53FC (Channel 53; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • K58ER (Channel 58; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • K21EM (Channel 21; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • K33AA (Channel 33; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: IOWA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD)
  • K42AM (Channel 42; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK, INC.)
  • K23CI (Channel 23; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: OTTUMWA AREA TRANSLATOR SYSTEM, INC.)
  • K25DE (Channel 25; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: OTTUMWA AREA TRANSLATOR SYSTEM, INC.)
  • K27CV (Channel 27; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: OTTUMWA AREA TRANSLATOR SYSTEM, INC.)
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 23Number of bridges
  • 289ft / 88.1mTotal length
  • 43,065Total average daily traffic
  • 10,916Total average daily truck traffic
New bridges in Beacon, IA - historical statistics
  • New bridges - historical statistics
  • 21900-1909
  • 11940-1949
  • 61950-1959
  • 21960-1969
  • 21970-1979
  • 21980-1989
  • 21990-1999
  • 52000-2009
  • 12010-2019
See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Beacon, IA

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses:

2
  • Call Sign: KB0WCV, Licensee ID: L00476720, Grant Date: 02/05/2016, Expiration Date: 04/22/2026, Certifier: Ronald E Sheets, Registrant: Ronald E Sheets, 611 Kilbourn Ave, Beacon, IA 52534
  • Call Sign: KC0SVD, Licensee ID: L00895719, Grant Date: 07/22/2004, Expiration Date: 07/22/2014, Cancellation Date: 02/03/2010, Certifier: Kerri R Wilson, Registrant: Kerri R Wilson, 224 Grant St. Ext, Beacon, IA 52534

FAA Registered Aircraft:

1
  • Aircraft: GOLDMAN DARREL E ZODIAC CH601XL (Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: LYCOMING O-235-C1 (115 HP) (4 Cycle)
    N-Number: 437NG, N437NG, N-437NG, Serial Number: 6025, Year manufactured: 2011, Airworthiness Date: 06/27/2011, Certificate Issue Date: 05/06/2020
    Registrant (Individual): John S Aschinger, 901 Oskaloosa Rd, Beacon, IA 52534

Most common first names in Beacon, IA among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
Earl269.5 years
Harry282.5 years
Fred277.0 years
Henry266.5 years
James280.5 years
John274.5 years
Bertha286.0 years
David263.0 years
Inez280.0 years
Leo274.5 years
Most common last names in Beacon, IA among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Sherman571.6 years
Deaver484.3 years
Miller459.5 years
Thomas360.0 years
Evans262.5 years
Donkelaar285.0 years
Boyer268.0 years
Carroll275.4 years
Hoffman276.0 years
Clark271.0 years
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Beacon, IA
  • 73.5%Utility gas
  • 24.3%Electricity
  • 2.1%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Beacon, IA
  • 40.5%Electricity
  • 32.4%Utility gas
  • 27.0%Bottled, tank, or LP gas


Beacon compared to Iowa state average:

  • Median house value significantly below state average.
  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
  • Number of college students below state average.
  • Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.
Cost of Living Calculator