Baxter, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Baxter, Iowa had a total population of 1,247, the 245th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $60,952, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Baxter Quick Facts
How Baxter 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 | 1,251 | 1,247 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $60,625 | $60,952 | +0.5% |
| Median home value | $162,300 | $166,700 | +2.7% |
How Baxter 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+)
Baxter Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Jasper County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | 15,700 | $57,771 | 11.1% | $153,700 |
| Colfax | 2,210 | $79,318 | 9.1% | $178,000 |
| Monroe | 2,120 | $80,375 | 8.1% | $177,200 |
| Prairie City | 1,711 | $78,295 | 3.5% | $190,600 |
| Sully | 1,022 | $90,189 | 3.7% | $173,700 |
| Kellogg | 676 | $36,944 | 25.3% | $115,800 |
| Lynnville | 527 | $60,682 | 3.4% | $146,300 |
| Mingo | 328 | $71,000 | 3.0% | $144,300 |
| Oakland Acres | 191 | $103,000 | 5.2% | $256,300 |
| Lambs Grove | 181 | $93,750 | 0.0% | $200,000 |
Cities Similar to Baxter
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville | 1,237 | $62,917 | $125,900 | 17.9% | 9.1% |
| Strawberry Point | 1,267 | $57,778 | $114,700 | 20.3% | 11.3% |
| Elkader | 1,293 | $62,857 | $143,200 | 26.0% | 9.6% |
| Bedford | 1,336 | $60,781 | $96,800 | 14.5% | 10.0% |
| Sanborn | 1,323 | $59,417 | $168,500 | 23.8% | 13.5% |
Population Overview
Baxter is a small community located in Iowa, within Jasper County. The total population is 1,247. It ranks as the 245th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Baxter is 33.9 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 30.6% of the population under 18, Baxter has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Baxter is $60,952. This is 19% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.7%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $166,700. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Baxter is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Baxter has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 99.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
17.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Baxter, 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 Baxter, Iowa?
Baxter, Iowa has a population of 1,247 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Baxter, IA?
The median household income in Baxter is $60,952, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Baxter, IA?
The poverty rate in Baxter is 14.7%. This means approximately 179 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Baxter, Iowa?
Baxter's population is 99.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Baxter, IA?
The median home value in Baxter is $166,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Baxter, Iowa?
17.6% of adults (25+) in Baxter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.