Dubuque, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dubuque, Iowa had a total population of 59,174, the 11th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $65,845, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Dubuque Quick Facts
How Dubuque 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 | 59,271 | 59,174 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $64,985 | $65,845 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $193,100 | $204,800 | +6.1% |
How Dubuque 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+)
Dubuque Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Dubuque County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbury | 5,989 | $124,957 | 3.2% | $339,000 |
| Dyersville | 4,423 | $83,559 | 4.9% | $234,100 |
| Cascade | 2,375 | $69,688 | 8.7% | $196,200 |
| Peosta | 2,040 | $120,833 | 2.9% | $336,000 |
| Epworth | 1,894 | $84,271 | 5.2% | $239,900 |
| Farley | 1,889 | $97,143 | 3.5% | $266,000 |
| Worthington | 431 | $97,500 | 2.8% | $166,800 |
| New Vienna | 372 | $93,250 | 4.6% | $201,600 |
| Holy Cross | 280 | $64,375 | 3.6% | $192,400 |
| Rickardsville | 234 | $102,500 | 1.3% | $246,400 |
Cities Similar to Dubuque
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Bluffs | 62,586 | $64,578 | $171,800 | 21.5% | 15.1% |
| Ames | 67,669 | $60,991 | $277,400 | 65.8% | 25.4% |
| Waterloo | 67,008 | $57,480 | $152,600 | 21.8% | 16.6% |
| Iowa City | 75,752 | $58,546 | $285,900 | 60.5% | 26.3% |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | $309,000 | 54.9% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Dubuque is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Dubuque County. The total population is 59,174. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dubuque is 38.1 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dubuque is $65,845. This is 12% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $204,800. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 65.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dubuque has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
34.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher 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 93.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, Iowa?
Dubuque, Iowa has a population of 59,174 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dubuque, IA?
The median household income in Dubuque is $65,845, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dubuque, IA?
The poverty rate in Dubuque is 12.7%. This means approximately 7,089 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dubuque, Iowa?
Dubuque's population is 85.3% White, 4.1% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dubuque, IA?
The median home value in Dubuque is $204,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Dubuque, Iowa?
34.0% of adults (25+) in Dubuque hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.