Derby, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 110, Derby's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.

Population Overview

Derby is a small community located in Iowa, within Lucas County. The total population is 110. It ranks as the 846th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Derby is 41.8 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. With 31.8% of the population under 18, Derby has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 11.8% 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 Derby is $56,250. This is 25% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.4%. This is 220% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Derby, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $92,500. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Derby is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 97.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 71.7%.

Race & Ethnicity

Derby has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.2% of all residents.

Education

1.4% 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 96% 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 67.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Derby, 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.