10 Best Independent Living Communities in Clarion, IA

Independent Living

If you want the peace of mind of having your housekeeping handled while living life at your own pace, you might want to consider an Independent Living Community. Basic chores such as meal preparation and housekeeping are handled by staff and a calendar of recreational and leisure activities is maintained, allowing residents an opportunity to use their time as they wish, free from daily obligations. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to be among peers, in a community with others of similar age groups and interests. Residents’ quarters consist of a private living space with their own kitchen. The independence of apartment life is still enjoyed, offering opportunities to entertain guests and visitors in a private and personal setting. While policies vary between locations, many residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing care is desired, residents may always enlist the services of independent care providers. There are a number of benefits and costs to balance while deciding on an independent living community. It is important to figure out if these amenities are covered in your plan: move-in fee, housekeeping, cable TV, initial assessment fee, meals, Waiting list deposit, internet access, and private phone. The benefits that pertain to independent living include golf course, healthcare center, security guards, restaurant-style dining hall, laundry service, community activities, game/TV room, and fitness center & swimming pool.

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living can be a motivating factor when deciding which care option meets the needs of your loved one. The rent burden for Clarion is around 16.1% of the average person’s monthly income. Clarion has a median home value of about $74,525 and the median cost of rent is around $645 per month per month.

Demographics and Values

Currently, the population of Clarion consists of 2,564 people and in total the Clarion metro area has a population of 2,769. Clarion has a population density of 317 people per square mile. In Clarion, 60.2% participate in the labor force, 12.9% have some form of disability, 10.7% are widowed, and 20.6% live in poverty. In terms of education, 2.5% have a graduate degree, 17.3% have a college degree, and 33.7% have a high-school diploma. Out of the total city population, 50.9% are female and 49.1% are male. The median age of Clarion is 38 years old. Racially, the population of Clarion is 22.5% Hispanic, 84.1% white, 0.0% black, 0.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.8% mixed race, and 13.0% other or not specified. In Clarion, 8.0% of the citizens are veterans of the United States armed forces.

State Information

An overview of Iowa

The state of Iowa has a cost of living index of 91.8 where a score of 100 is the national average, and anything below 100 is considered less expensive than the national average. The state has a grocery index rating of 95.9 and a housing index rating of 79.6. The state of Iowa has 120 hospitals and 75 health centers, providing care to a population of 3,168,703. Mercy Hospital, St. Lukes Hospital, and And Mercy Medical Center – Cedar Rapids are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state. In terms of personal well-being, Iowa ranks 20th in healthcare and 14th in quality of life compared to other states. Based on natural beauty, Iowa ranks 32nd in the nation.

Social demographics of the state

In terms of diversity, Iowa ranks 43rd in the nation and is considered LGBTQ friendly. In the most recent presidential election, 51% of Iowa residents voted Republican and 42% voted Democrat. In terms of religion, 36% of Iowa residents attend religious services among the 5,107 different congregations that are available in the state. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-<1%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%, with the most common Christian denominations consisting of Evangelical Protestant-28%, Mainline Protestant-30%, and Historically Black Protestant-2%. In Iowa there are 289 masonic lodges. The state has a median age of 38 and 30% of its population being over the age of 55.

State-wide weather information

The most precipitation occurs in July with an average of 6.46 inches of precipitation a month. On average, the state receives 2.93 inches of precipitation a month. The average temperature in the winter falls to around 22F. During the winter, the average high temperature peaks at around 40F during the month of February. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 4F during the month of January. During the summer, the average temperature in Iowa is around 72F. The average high summer temperature is around 88F in the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 55F in the month of June. The average air quality index rating in Iowa is 41.2 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 53.8 AQI. Iowa experiences an average humidity rating of about 72%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 78% in the month of December. While residents of Iowa mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Iowa can include floods and earthquakes (high).

Wildlife to be found in Iowa

The state of Iowa has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of prickly pear cactus, bunchberry, tumblegrass, and bearberry. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the bear, the coyote, the mountain lion, or the elk. The state animal of Iowa is the eastern goldfinch.