Secrest Octagon Barn · National Register of Historic Places
Downey’s story
Downey in pictures
3 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
Explore the history →DowneyIA
A town of 59.
Population
59
residents
Median age
64.8
years
Jobs based here
7
A commuter town
Small town
59 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Downey’s report card
Now in Downey
Be the first to start the conversation.
Start a conversation
Upcoming events
Nothing on the calendar.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Downey. Another town gets a different order.
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of Downey
Most working residents leave Downey for work: only 0% work in town. The top destinations are Iowa City (35%), Tipton (10%) and Cedar Rapids (8%). Half commute less than 13 miles.
0%work in town
Where working residents work
In Downey0%
Iowa City35%
Tipton10%
Cedar Rapids8%
Muscatine6%
13 mi
median commute distance
7
jobs based in Downey
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Climate
Four seasons, pleasant summers
Downey has cold winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 13°, and about 28 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
28″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter16–33°
Spring39–60°
Summer62–83°
Fall41–62°
Oct 9
typical first frost
Apr 29
typical last frost
+0.6°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Natural hazards
High risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 66% of U.S. communities.
66risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesStrong wind
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Health
How healthy Downey is
Downey beats the Iowa average on 4 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 0.
32 measures vs. Iowa
4 better28 too close to call0 worse
| What stands out | Downey | IA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 9.2% | 11.6% |
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 5.2% | 6.4% |
University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down
10 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: primary care
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
A commuter town
100% of working residents leave Downey for work
Where Downey’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
7jobs based in Downey
0%of working residents work in town
13 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
Landmarks
3 places in Downey on the National Register of Historic Places.
