De Soto, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, De Soto, Iowa had a total population of 1,041, the 276th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $97,109, which is 29% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
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 2.3x.
De Soto Quick Facts
How De Soto 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 | 943 | 1,041 | +10.4% |
| Median household income | $92,500 | $97,109 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $210,500 | $227,700 | +8.2% |
How De Soto 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+)
De Soto Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Dallas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukee | 29,236 | $101,029 | 7.4% | $350,500 |
| Perry | 7,985 | $68,910 | 8.9% | $121,400 |
| Adel | 6,430 | $95,250 | 7.2% | $327,900 |
| Dallas Center | 2,161 | $95,854 | 8.8% | $246,800 |
| Van Meter | 1,628 | $135,139 | 2.6% | $264,000 |
| Woodward | 977 | $65,658 | 7.0% | $179,900 |
| Redfield | 780 | $66,094 | 10.0% | $142,800 |
| Dexter | 620 | $87,250 | 5.8% | $163,500 |
| Minburn | 354 | $71,042 | 3.1% | $134,800 |
| Bouton | 168 | $76,875 | 18.4% | $113,900 |
Cities Similar to De Soto
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruitland | 1,049 | $103,424 | $217,700 | 16.5% | 2.5% |
| Sully | 1,022 | $90,189 | $173,700 | 22.4% | 3.7% |
| Calmar | 974 | $92,500 | $203,200 | 25.8% | 12.5% |
| Jewell Junction | 1,084 | $81,250 | $148,100 | 26.2% | 6.6% |
| Primghar | 1,014 | $78,750 | $147,500 | 20.9% | 6.3% |
Population Overview
De Soto is a small community located in Iowa, within Dallas County. The total population is 1,041. It ranks as the 276th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in De Soto is 32.0 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, De Soto has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in De Soto is $97,109. This is 29% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 20% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $227,700. Housing costs are 9% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, De Soto is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
De Soto has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.6%.
Education
28.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 95.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for De Soto, 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 De Soto, Iowa?
De Soto, Iowa has a population of 1,041 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in De Soto, IA?
The median household income in De Soto is $97,109, which is 20% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in De Soto, IA?
The poverty rate in De Soto is 7.3%. This means approximately 76 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of De Soto, Iowa?
De Soto's population is 88.9% White, 0.0% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in De Soto, IA?
The median home value in De Soto is $227,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is De Soto, Iowa?
28.8% of adults (25+) in De Soto hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.