Care Homes in Iowa

Iowa Care Home Regulations

Each state regulates senior living communities differently. Because care homes operate similarly to assisted living communities, states may regulate care homes within their guidelines for assisted living. You can use APFM’s guide to assisted living regulations to learn more about access to facility records in Iowa.

In Iowa, care homes — sometimes called residential care homes, board and care homes, group homes, or personal care homes — are often houses in residential neighborhoods that are adapted, equipped, and staffed to care for a small number of residents, usually 10 or less. Similar to assisted living but in a smaller, more residential setting, these homes provide supervision, organized events, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). This means care homes can help with everyday routines but typically do not provide 24-hour skilled nursing assistance.

Cost of Living

Overall, the cost of living in Iowa is considered to be more affordable than the national average. Iowa has an extremely low housing cost with its index rated 20 points below the national average. Iowa’s economy is dependent on farming, and much of the state is rural farmland. All index scores are based on a scale with the national average set at 100.

Price Indexes

• Cost of Living: 92
• Groceries: 96
• Housing: 80
• Utilities: 95
• Transportation: 96

Demographics

About 15% of Iowa’s population are seniors. Iowa is considered a political swing state, and in the 2016 presidential election, Iowa leaned conservative. Over one-third of the state's population live in rural areas, and Iowa’s farmers raise nearly 20% of the country’s corn and soybean crop.

2016 Presidential Election

• 42% voted Democratic
• 51% voted Republican
• 7% voted third party

Population

• Median age: 38
• Over the age of 55: 30%
• 2018 population: 3,156,145
• 2020 population: 3,181,310
• Estimated 2025 population: 3,245,106

Miscellaneous

• 36% regularly attend a religious service
• 34% consider themselves atheist, agnostic, or a non-believer
• The state has a total of 5,107 congregations
• There are 289 Masonic lodges in the state

Climate and Weather

Iowa has a humid continental type of climate, with seasonal temperatures varying widely. The summers in Iowa tend to be hot and muggy, while the winters often drop below freezing with heavy snowfall. The average humidity level is around 70% peaking in the summer at about 85%. A vast majority of the state is farmland which contributes greatly to Iowa’s high relative humidity levels.

Humidity and Precipitation

• Average humidity level: 72%
• Average monthly precipitation: 3”
• Average maximum monthly precipitation: 6” (July)

Air Quality

• Average air quality index rating: 41 (Good)
• Average maximum air quality rating: 54 in May (Moderate)

Moderate air quality means that those who are sensitive to particulates in the air should limit the amount of time they spend on outdoor exertion.

Seasonal Temperatures

• Average temperature: 48°F
• Average summer temperature: 72°F
• Typical summer high: 88°F (July)
• Typical summer low: 55°F (June)
• Average winter temperature: 22°F
• Typical winter high: 40°F (February)
• Typical winter low: 4°F (January)