Arlington, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Arlington, Iowa had a total population of 427, the 509th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $38,958, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Arlington Quick Facts
How Arlington 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 | 452 | 427 | -5.5% |
| Median household income | $41,250 | $38,958 | -5.6% |
| Median home value | $110,900 | $112,000 | +1.0% |
How Arlington 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+)
Arlington Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Fayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oelwein | 5,834 | $46,653 | 18.5% | $96,300 |
| West Union | 2,489 | $53,617 | 11.6% | $121,000 |
| Fayette | 1,309 | $47,917 | 25.7% | $119,000 |
| Elgin | 735 | $54,688 | 3.7% | $98,800 |
| Clermont | 627 | $85,625 | 4.0% | $117,200 |
| Hawkeye | 482 | $62,813 | 3.9% | $84,600 |
| Maynard | 471 | $55,583 | 8.9% | $132,100 |
| Waucoma | 291 | $78,750 | 3.4% | $122,700 |
| Westgate | 178 | $53,750 | 35.1% | $78,300 |
| Wadena | 177 | $38,750 | 27.8% | $94,200 |
Cities Similar to Arlington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 404 | $40,313 | $43,500 | 6.6% | 25.3% |
| Marquette | 443 | $42,292 | $164,400 | 13.0% | 22.6% |
| Bussey | 414 | $43,125 | $79,000 | 14.5% | 15.0% |
| Oxford Junction | 461 | $37,969 | $72,500 | 5.1% | 15.0% |
| Lewis | 461 | $36,691 | $49,900 | 5.2% | 13.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 427, Arlington's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Arlington is a small community located in Iowa, within Fayette County. The total population is 427. It ranks as the 509th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Arlington is 54.0 years. This is 40% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 11.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Arlington is $38,958. This is 48% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Arlington, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $112,000. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Arlington is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Arlington has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.6%.
Education
12.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% lower 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Arlington, 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.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Arlington, Iowa?
Arlington, Iowa has a population of 427 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Arlington, IA?
The median household income in Arlington is $38,958, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Arlington, IA?
The poverty rate in Arlington is 15.0%. This means approximately 64 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Arlington, Iowa?
Arlington's population is 85.7% White, 0.0% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Arlington, IA?
The median home value in Arlington is $112,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Arlington, Iowa?
12.2% of adults (25+) in Arlington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.