Battle Creek, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Battle Creek, Iowa had a total population of 803, the 346th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $59,688, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
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 1.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Battle Creek Quick Facts
How Battle Creek 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 | 822 | 803 | -2.3% |
| Median household income | $59,519 | $59,688 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $72,300 | $73,800 | +2.1% |
How Battle Creek 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+)
Battle Creek Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Ida County
Cities Similar to Battle Creek
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | 803 | $57,333 | $178,100 | 15.7% | 11.2% |
| Morning Sun | 802 | $56,350 | $102,200 | 11.6% | 11.3% |
| Inwood | 793 | $62,333 | $202,900 | 14.1% | 5.3% |
| Dumont | 783 | $58,214 | $74,800 | 16.3% | 9.1% |
| Afton | 817 | $54,545 | $95,300 | 21.0% | 13.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 803, Battle Creek'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
Battle Creek is a small community located in Iowa, within Ida County. The total population is 803. It ranks as the 346th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Battle Creek is 41.0 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. With 29.8% of the population under 18, Battle Creek has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 12.1% 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 Battle Creek is $59,688. This is 20% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $73,800. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Battle Creek is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Battle Creek has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.7% 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 (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
10.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 94.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Battle Creek, 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 Battle Creek, Iowa?
Battle Creek, Iowa has a population of 803 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Battle Creek, IA?
The median household income in Battle Creek is $59,688, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Battle Creek, IA?
The poverty rate in Battle Creek is 8.2%. This means approximately 61 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Battle Creek, Iowa?
Battle Creek's population is 92.7% White, 1.1% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Battle Creek, IA?
The median home value in Battle Creek is $73,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Battle Creek, Iowa?
10.2% of adults (25+) in Battle Creek hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.