Dickinson County, Iowa Demographics 2026
Dickinson County, Iowa has a population of 17,990, the 39th most populous county in Iowa. The median household income is $75,432 and the median home value is $270,700. The poverty rate is 7.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Dickinson County Quick Facts
How Dickinson County 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 | 17,844 | 17,990 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $74,570 | $75,432 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $251,600 | $270,700 | +7.6% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Dickinson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Lake | 5,518 | $65,720 | 6.3% | $215,100 |
| Milford | 3,311 | $63,369 | 8.9% | $218,400 |
| Lake Park | 1,184 | $74,500 | 4.6% | $168,800 |
| Okoboji | 969 | $73,000 | 11.2% | $299,300 |
| Arnolds Park | 922 | $86,833 | 6.0% | $438,900 |
| Orleans | 527 | $74,750 | 1.9% | $573,200 |
| Wahpeton | 443 | $107,917 | 5.8% | $495,500 |
| West Okoboji | 418 | $66,250 | 3.6% | $593,800 |
| Terril | 290 | $43,889 | 16.0% | $95,500 |
| Superior | 111 | $75,625 | 3.7% | $82,900 |
Explore Iowa Rankings
Population Overview
Dickinson County is located in Iowa with a total population of 17,990. It is the 39th most populous county out of 99 in Iowa. The county encompasses 10 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dickinson County is 48.7 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.1% 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 Dickinson County is $75,432. This is about the same as the state median of $75,059. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.6%. This is 32% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $270,700. Housing costs are 30% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 77.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dickinson County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
31.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 96.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Dickinson County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Iowa and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Dickinson County, Iowa?
Dickinson County has a population of 17,990, making it the 39th most populous county in Iowa.
What is the median income in Dickinson County?
The median household income in Dickinson County is $75,432 with a poverty rate of 7.6%.
How many cities are in Dickinson County, Iowa?
Dickinson County contains 10 Census-designated places.