Boone, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Boone, Iowa had a total population of 12,424, the 33rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $69,222, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.3%.
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 2.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Boone Quick Facts
How Boone 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 | 12,445 | 12,424 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $67,269 | $69,222 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $156,400 | $173,000 | +10.6% |
How Boone 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+)
Boone Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Boone County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | 2,808 | $89,844 | 6.3% | $185,600 |
| Ogden | 1,859 | $70,268 | 9.3% | $166,000 |
| Boxholm | 168 | $49,375 | 22.0% | $86,500 |
| Luther | 159 | $100,938 | 0.0% | $191,700 |
| Fraser | 148 | $69,063 | 4.7% | $147,500 |
| Pilot Mound | 132 | $58,750 | 4.5% | $75,000 |
| Beaver | 51 | $73,750 | 5.9% | $56,300 |
| Berkley | 5 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Boone
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oskaloosa | 11,504 | $64,004 | $153,300 | 25.4% | 16.6% |
| Storm Lake | 11,428 | $62,765 | $172,200 | 18.9% | 7.0% |
| Spencer | 11,400 | $59,667 | $184,800 | 29.8% | 14.0% |
| Le Mars | 10,640 | $74,701 | $219,200 | 21.1% | 9.2% |
| Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $188,700 | 27.1% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Boone is a small city located in Iowa, within Boone County. The total population is 12,424. It ranks as the 33rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Boone is 41.3 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Boone is $69,222. This is 8% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.3%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $173,000. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Boone is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Boone has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
24.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Boone, 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 Boone, Iowa?
Boone, Iowa has a population of 12,424 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Boone, IA?
The median household income in Boone is $69,222, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Boone, IA?
The poverty rate in Boone is 8.3%. This means approximately 1,005 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Boone, Iowa?
Boone's population is 91.4% White, 1.3% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Boone, IA?
The median home value in Boone is $173,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Boone, Iowa?
24.0% of adults (25+) in Boone hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.