Centerville, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Centerville, Iowa had a total population of 5,372, the 79th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $46,563, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Centerville Quick Facts
How Centerville 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 | 5,377 | 5,372 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $41,472 | $46,563 | +12.3% |
| Median home value | $99,000 | $103,000 | +4.0% |
How Centerville 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+)
Centerville Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Appanoose County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moravia | 624 | $49,286 | 10.3% | $121,700 |
| Moulton | 498 | $66,250 | 15.9% | $81,800 |
| Cincinnati | 229 | $45,625 | 23.6% | $56,400 |
| Mystic | 216 | $41,000 | 17.1% | $57,500 |
| Unionville | 78 | $82,813 | 5.1% | $95,000 |
| Exline | 73 | $43,750 | 12.3% | $85,600 |
| Numa | 58 | $63,125 | 12.1% | N/A |
| Plano | 39 | $63,750 | 2.6% | $93,300 |
| Rathbun | 30 | $71,875 | 6.7% | $151,800 |
| Udell | 13 | $90,000 | 23.1% | $55,000 |
Cities Similar to Centerville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarinda | 5,353 | $46,348 | $114,200 | 13.8% | 12.1% |
| Red Oak | 5,510 | $50,109 | $99,700 | 17.7% | 21.9% |
| Oelwein | 5,834 | $46,653 | $96,300 | 17.5% | 18.5% |
| Algona | 5,377 | $56,040 | $160,800 | 25.5% | 6.9% |
| Iowa Falls | 5,038 | $50,417 | $123,800 | 22.9% | 10.7% |
Population Overview
Centerville is a small city located in Iowa, within Appanoose County. The total population is 5,372. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Centerville is 40.9 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.7% 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 Centerville is $46,563. This is 38% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 93% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. The median home value is $103,000. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Centerville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Centerville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Centerville, 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 Centerville, Iowa?
Centerville, Iowa has a population of 5,372 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Centerville, IA?
The median household income in Centerville is $46,563, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Centerville, IA?
The poverty rate in Centerville is 21.3%. This means approximately 1,114 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Centerville, Iowa?
Centerville's population is 89.5% White, 1.0% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Centerville, IA?
The median home value in Centerville is $103,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Centerville, Iowa?
16.7% of adults (25+) in Centerville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.