Armstrong, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Armstrong, Iowa had a total population of 703, the 391st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $58,250, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Armstrong Quick Facts
How Armstrong 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 | 709 | 703 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $52,279 | $58,250 | +11.4% |
| Median home value | $86,400 | $90,500 | +4.7% |
How Armstrong 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+)
Armstrong Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Emmet County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estherville | 5,839 | $54,124 | 12.6% | $101,400 |
| Ringsted | 380 | $51,042 | 18.4% | $47,000 |
| Dolliver | 161 | $90,000 | 0.0% | $59,000 |
| Wallingford | 128 | $71,250 | 1.6% | $63,600 |
| Gruver | 30 | $58,750 | 0.0% | $75,000 |
Cities Similar to Armstrong
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowden | 699 | $56,118 | $119,800 | 22.7% | 7.7% |
| Dayton | 689 | $57,500 | $114,800 | 20.5% | 9.8% |
| McGregor | 719 | $57,361 | $161,100 | 19.6% | 12.4% |
| Sioux Rapids | 722 | $60,000 | $88,700 | 18.5% | 6.1% |
| Washburn | 714 | $61,406 | $142,300 | 25.7% | 2.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 703, Armstrong'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
Armstrong is a small community located in Iowa, within Emmet County. The total population is 703. It ranks as the 391st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Armstrong is 55.5 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 14.8% 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 Armstrong is $58,250. This is 22% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.4%. This is 51% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 77% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $90,500. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Armstrong is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Armstrong has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 98.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Armstrong, 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 Armstrong, Iowa?
Armstrong, Iowa has a population of 703 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Armstrong, IA?
The median household income in Armstrong is $58,250, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Armstrong, IA?
The poverty rate in Armstrong is 5.4%. This means approximately 36 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Armstrong, Iowa?
Armstrong's population is 95.6% White, 1.1% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Armstrong, IA?
The median home value in Armstrong is $90,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Armstrong, Iowa?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Armstrong hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.