Ankeny, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ankeny, Iowa had a total population of 72,615, the 6th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $108,198, which is 44% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.2% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- 52.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Ankeny Quick Facts
How Ankeny Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,542 | 72,615 | +2.9% |
| Median household income | $106,603 | $108,198 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $311,300 | $331,000 | +6.3% |
How Ankeny Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ankeny Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | 14.9% | $194,700 |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | 8.4% | $309,000 |
| Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | 6.8% | $335,500 |
| Johnston | 24,384 | $106,551 | 10.2% | $369,100 |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | 8.3% | $274,600 |
| Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | 7.3% | $401,100 |
| Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | 4.4% | $304,700 |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | 4.2% | $303,100 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | 8.9% | $295,100 |
| Bondurant | 8,560 | $135,674 | 6.2% | $318,800 |
Cities Similar to Ankeny
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | $309,000 | 54.9% | 8.4% |
| Iowa City | 75,752 | $58,546 | $285,900 | 60.5% | 26.3% |
| Ames | 67,669 | $60,991 | $277,400 | 65.8% | 25.4% |
| Sioux City | 86,101 | $68,906 | $173,600 | 22.9% | 15.3% |
| Waterloo | 67,008 | $57,480 | $152,600 | 21.8% | 16.6% |
Population Overview
Ankeny is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Polk County. The total population is 72,615. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ankeny is 33.6 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ankeny is $108,198. This is 44% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.2%. This is 62% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $331,000. Housing costs are 59% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 71.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Ankeny has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.1%.
Education
52.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ankeny in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.8%. Notably, 16.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ankeny, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ankeny, Iowa?
Ankeny, Iowa has a population of 72,615 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ankeny, IA?
The median household income in Ankeny is $108,198, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ankeny, IA?
The poverty rate in Ankeny is 4.2%. This means approximately 2,992 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ankeny, Iowa?
Ankeny's population is 85.7% White, 2.5% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ankeny, IA?
The median home value in Ankeny is $331,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Ankeny, Iowa?
52.1% of adults (25+) in Ankeny hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.