Moving to Radcliffe, Iowa

Radcliffe, Iowa is a small town located in Hardin County. It has a population of 1,165 people as of the 2020 census. The geography of Radcliffe is mostly flat with some rolling hills and farmland. The climate in the area is mild with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid while winters are cold and snowy.

The history of Radcliffe dates back to the mid-1800s when settlers began arriving in the area. In 1871, the town was officially founded and named after John Radcliffe, a local landowner. Since then, Radcliffe has been a small farming community with a strong sense of community spirit.

Politically, Radcliffe leans towards conservative values and typically votes Republican in elections. The economy is primarily based on agriculture with some small businesses located in town as well.

Radcliffe has two public schools: an elementary school for grades K-4 and a middle/high school for grades 5-12. Both schools have been well-regarded for their academic excellence over the years and have produced many successful graduates who have gone on to do great things in their lives.

There are several landmarks located throughout Radcliffe that locals take pride in including the historic courthouse built in 1875, several churches dating back to the late 1800s, a general store founded during the same time period, as well as several parks and monuments dedicated to veterans of past wars.

Population: 607. Estimated population in July 2024: 575 (-5.3% change)
Males: 290 (47.8%), Females: 317 (52.2%)

Hardin County

Zip code: 50230

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.4 years
Median household income: $39,417
Median house value: $63,200

Population by Race

Races in Radcliffe:

• White Non-Hispanic (94.4%)
• Hispanic (4.4%)
• Other race (2.5%)
• Two or more races (1.2%)
• American Indian (0.8%)

Ancestries: German (43.0%), Norwegian (32.1%), English (7.6%), Swedish (6.3%), Irish (5.1%), United States (3.5%).

Elevation: 1185 feet

Land area: 1.0 square miles

Population by Education

The population of Radcliffe, Iowa is 1,093 as of the 2020 census. The median age is 44.7 years old and the median household income is $52,869. The primary industries in Radcliffe are agriculture and manufacturing, with the top employers being a food processor and a plastics manufacturer.

Radcliffe is largely a rural community with most of its residents living in single-family homes on large lots of land. The cost of living in Radcliffe is lower than the national average; this makes it an attractive option for those looking for affordable housing options. The median home value in Radcliffe is $133,400 which is significantly lower than the national average of $231,200. Renters can expect to pay around $541 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, while two-bedroom apartments cost around $674 per month on average.

Utility costs are also lower than average; residents will pay approximately $80 per month for electricity and $50 per month for water on average. Other expenses such as groceries and transportation are also relatively low in comparison to other parts of the country, making Radcliffe an ideal place to live if you’re looking for an affordable lifestyle without sacrificing quality or convenience.

For population 25 years and over in Radcliffe

• High school or higher: 90.4%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.2%
• Graduate or professional degree: 5.4%
• Unemployed: 11.0%
• Mean travel time to work: 21.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Radcliffe city

• Never married: 21.8%
• Now married: 63.6%
• Separated: 0.6%
• Widowed: 8.5%
• Divorced: 5.5%

3.6% Foreign born (3.6% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +33 (+5.7%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Radcliffe:

• ELLSWORTH MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL (about 19 miles; IOWA FALLS, IA)
• STORY COUNTY HOSPITAL (about 20 miles; NEVADA, IA)
• MARY GREELEY MEDICAL CENTER (about 24 miles; AMES, IA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Radcliffe:

• FORT DODGE REGIONAL (about 55 miles; FORT DODGE, IA; Abbreviation: FOD)
• DES MOINES INTL (about 56 miles; DES MOINES, IA; Abbreviation: DSM)
• MASON CITY MUNI (about 58 miles; MASON CITY, IA; Abbreviation: MCW)

Other public-use airports nearest to Radcliffe:

• DRAKE (about 2 miles; RADCLIFFE, IA; Abbreviation: 2Y1)
• IOWA FALLS MUNI (about 16 miles; IOWA FALLS, IA; Abbreviation: IFA)
• ELDORA MUNI (about 23 miles; ELDORA, IA; Abbreviation: 6C0)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Radcliffe:

• IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 20 miles; AMES, IA; Full-time enrollment: 24,473)
• DES MOINES COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 43 miles; ANKENY, IA; Full-time enrollment: 6,959)
• DRAKE UNIVERSITY (about 52 miles; DES MOINES, IA; Full-time enrollment: 4,227)
• IOWA CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 54 miles; FT DODGE, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,807)
• NORTH IOWA AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 60 miles; MASON CITY, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,161)
• HAWKEYE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 75 miles; WATERLOO, IA; Full-time enrollment: 3,292)
• UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA (about 79 miles; CEDAR FALLS, IA; Full-time enrollment: 12,524)

Public primary/middle schools in Radcliffe:

• HUBBARD-RADCLIFFE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 185; Location: 501 ISABELLA; Grades: KG – 05)
• HUBBARD-RADCLIFFE MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 105; Location: 501 ISABELLA; Grades: 06 – 08)

Libraries

Library in Radcliffe:

• RADCLIFFE PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $35,892; Location: 210 ISABELLA; 11,303 books; 511 audio materials; 817 video materials; 62 serial subscriptions)