Earlham, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Earlham, Iowa had a total population of 1,528, the 212th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $115,086, which is 53% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.7% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Earlham Quick Facts
How Earlham 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 | 1,406 | 1,528 | +8.7% |
| Median household income | $104,464 | $115,086 | +10.2% |
| Median home value | $248,400 | $267,600 | +7.7% |
How Earlham 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+)
Earlham Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
Cities Similar to Earlham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urbana | 1,639 | $115,655 | $228,900 | 29.1% | 5.5% |
| Palo | 1,438 | $106,375 | $282,400 | 27.2% | 5.5% |
| University Heights | 1,384 | $111,406 | $429,900 | 87.1% | 14.4% |
| Alton | 1,459 | $98,036 | $218,900 | 24.3% | 2.6% |
| Gilbert | 1,381 | $122,656 | $274,600 | 44.3% | 3.4% |
Population Overview
Earlham is a small community located in Iowa, within Madison County. The total population is 1,528. It ranks as the 212th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Earlham is 43.0 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Earlham is $115,086. This is 53% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 43% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.7%. This is 57% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $267,600. Housing costs are 29% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Earlham is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Earlham has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.9%.
Education
32.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 96.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Earlham, 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 Earlham, Iowa?
Earlham, Iowa has a population of 1,528 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Earlham, IA?
The median household income in Earlham is $115,086, which is 43% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Earlham, IA?
The poverty rate in Earlham is 4.7%. This means approximately 72 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Earlham, Iowa?
Earlham's population is 91.8% White, 2.0% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Earlham, IA?
The median home value in Earlham is $267,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Earlham, Iowa?
32.1% of adults (25+) in Earlham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.