St. Joseph: Economy & Jobs
Median household income in St. Joseph is $37,344 (1.8× below Kossuth County median $67,697; 2.0× below Iowa median $75,837), with homes at a median value of $-666,666,666. The surrounding county supports 6,565 jobs (avg $52,766).
- $79,103 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income.
Income & Affordability
Median household income $37,344 — below the Iowa median ($75,836). Poverty rate 26.0% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 26.0% |
|---|---|
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $7,060 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $558,469 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $79,103 |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $51,673 |
| Median Household Income | $37,344 (vs Iowa $75,837) |
| Poverty Rate | 26.0% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | blue_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | working-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $37,344 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. 38% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 37.5% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 6,565 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $346,393,424 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $52,766 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 1,544,760 |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 459 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 98,043 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 213.60 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Grain, Corn, Animal Totals, Hogs |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 538 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 5,387 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 257,501 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 7 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 10 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 14 |
| Local Businesses · Funeral Homes | 7 |
| Local Businesses · Commercial Banks | 17 |
| Local Businesses · Insurance Agencies | 14 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 20 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 8 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (9)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (1)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Dollar General 1760 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 4.1 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | ALGONA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $109,897,869 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 7,411.51 |
| Federal Spending · Population | 14,828 people |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 31.2% |
|---|---|
| Pct Walked | 37.5% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 73.5 years (vs Iowa 38.8y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 87.5% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12