Clarion, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clarion, Iowa had a total population of 2,770, the 130th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $64,625, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.5%.
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 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Clarion Quick Facts
How Clarion 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 | 2,775 | 2,770 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $58,702 | $64,625 | +10.1% |
| Median home value | $107,600 | $116,200 | +8.0% |
How Clarion 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+)
Clarion Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Wright County
Cities Similar to Clarion
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield | 2,742 | $60,769 | $132,000 | 23.8% | 6.9% |
| Onawa | 2,839 | $62,143 | $145,800 | 19.4% | 16.3% |
| Rock Rapids | 2,661 | $63,942 | $206,700 | 21.7% | 6.5% |
| Marengo | 2,725 | $57,941 | $123,200 | 12.9% | 13.2% |
| Missouri Valley | 2,666 | $71,818 | $148,500 | 18.2% | 9.7% |
Population Overview
Clarion is a small community located in Iowa, within Wright County. The total population is 2,770. It ranks as the 130th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clarion is 41.2 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clarion is $64,625. This is 14% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.5%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $116,200. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Clarion is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clarion is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.8%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.8% vs 7.3%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
26.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clarion, 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 Clarion, Iowa?
Clarion, Iowa has a population of 2,770 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clarion, IA?
The median household income in Clarion is $64,625, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clarion, IA?
The poverty rate in Clarion is 10.5%. This means approximately 284 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clarion, Iowa?
Clarion's population is 76.9% White, 0.1% Black, 18.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clarion, IA?
The median home value in Clarion is $116,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Clarion, Iowa?
26.5% of adults (25+) in Clarion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.