Clarke County, Iowa Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Clarke County is located in Iowa with a total population of 9,690. It is the 77th most populous county out of 99 in Iowa. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Clarke County is 38.4 years. This is about average than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Clarke County is $66,821. This is 9% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 15% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $160,200. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Clarke County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Clarke County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.3%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.3% vs 7.0%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

16.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.1%.