10 Best Independent Living Communities in Norwalk, IA

Independent Living

For seniors who would prefer to live primarily without personal care assistance but wish for the assistance of having their household chores taken care of by professionalls, an Independent Living Community might be the perfect option. Daily needs such as meal planning and the scheduling of social activities are taken care of, which permits occupants more opportunities to live their lives as they see fit. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to live among peers, in a community with others of similar age groups and interests. Typically comprised of a private living space and a full kitchen, these communities offer homes with many of the amenities of apartment life but with none of the hassle. Guests can be invited over and entertained, and there will be more time to spend with them with the basic maintenance of daily chores out of the way. While policies vary between communities, a number of residences allow cats and dogs as well. Nursing and health care services may always be arranged for with independent care providers if desired. There are a number of benefits and costs to keep in mind when deciding on an independent living community. It is important to determine if these amenities are included in the plan: move-in fee, utilities, field trips, initial assessment fee, transportation, meals, cable TV, and wellness program. The benefits and amenities that pertain to independent living include game/TV room, security guards, restaurant-style dining hall, transportation, golf course, private rental hall, laundry service, and community activities.

Cost of Living

The total cost of care for a community is determined by the community in which it is located. The rent burden for Norwalk is around 15.0% of the average person’s monthly income. Norwalk has a median home value of around $179,486 and the median cost of rent is around $1,292 per month per month.

Demographics and Values

Of the population of Norwalk 9.9% have a graduate degree, 39.8% have a college degree, and 20.9% have a high-school diploma. Out of the total city population, 48.9% are female and 51.1% are male. The median age of Norwalk is 36 years old. Demographically, Norwalk is 97.6% white, 0.2% black, 2.0% Hispanic, 0.3% Native American, 0.7% mixed race, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.3% Asian, and 0.9% other or not specified. In Norwalk, 13.1% of the people are veterans. Out of the total population of Norwalk, 76.8% participate in the labor force, 4.1% are widowed, 9.0% have some form of disability, and 3.0% live in poverty. Currently, the population of Norwalk consists of 10,896 people. Norwalk has a population density of 368 people per square mile.

State Information

An overview of Iowa

Iowa is ranked 14th in quality of life and 20th in healthcare. In terms of resources, Iowa has a cost of living index of 91.8, a grocery index rating of 95.9, and a housing index rating of 79.6. These index ratings are based on a system where 100 is considered the national average and anything below 100 is considered less expensive than the national average. In total, Iowa has 120 general hospitals and 75 health centers that provide care for 3,168,703 citizens. Mercy Hospital, St. Lukes Hospital, and And Mercy Medical Center – Cedar Rapids are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state. The natural beauty of Iowa is ranked 32nd in the nation.

Social demographics of the state

During the latest presidential election, 51% voted for the Republican candidate while 42% voted for the Democratic candidate. The state of Iowa ranks 43rd in the country for diversity, and the state is considered LGBTQ friendly. In Iowa, 36% of the population attend some form of religious service and there are 5,107 different congregations. 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 median age in the state is 38, and 30% of the population is over the age of 55.

State-wide weather information

During the summer, the average temperature in Iowa is around 72F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 88F during the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 55F in the month of June. 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. On average, the state receives 2.93 inches of precipitation a month. The most precipitation occurs in July with an average of 6.46 inches of precipitation a month. The average humidity across the state is 72%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 78% in the month of December. On average, Iowa has an air quality index rating of around 41.2 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 53.8 AQI. 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 Arrowgrass, dryflower, cinnamon ferns, and bearberry. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the porcupine, the mountain lion, the coyote, or the gray wolf. The state animal of Iowa is the eastern goldfinch.