Eldon, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Eldon, Iowa had a total population of 726, the 382nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $47,917, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
Eldon Quick Facts
How Eldon 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 | 816 | 726 | -11.0% |
| Median household income | $52,813 | $47,917 | -9.3% |
| Median home value | $57,600 | $60,600 | +5.2% |
How Eldon 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+)
Eldon Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Wapello County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottumwa | 25,430 | $61,103 | 17.2% | $106,300 |
| Eddyville | 1,163 | $61,480 | 14.5% | $104,200 |
| Agency | 435 | $67,813 | 8.1% | $157,300 |
| Blakesburg | 310 | $51,000 | 21.8% | $85,900 |
| Kirkville | 266 | $58,750 | 8.6% | $93,300 |
| Chillicothe | 83 | $75,750 | 6.0% | $85,000 |
Cities Similar to Eldon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stratford | 735 | $47,875 | $89,300 | 10.3% | 9.0% |
| Exira | 705 | $47,344 | $84,700 | 9.2% | 23.4% |
| Hazleton | 720 | $51,964 | $85,900 | 4.7% | 14.9% |
| Correctionville | 761 | $50,192 | $84,700 | 14.0% | 15.2% |
| Elgin | 735 | $54,688 | $98,800 | 19.6% | 3.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 726, Eldon'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
Eldon is a small community located in Iowa, within Wapello County. The total population is 726. It ranks as the 382nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Eldon is 42.1 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Eldon is $47,917. This is 36% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 89% 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 unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 101% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $60,600. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Eldon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Eldon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%.
Education
11.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 89.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Eldon, 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 Eldon, Iowa?
Eldon, Iowa has a population of 726 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Eldon, IA?
The median household income in Eldon is $47,917, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Eldon, IA?
The poverty rate in Eldon is 20.9%. This means approximately 152 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Eldon, Iowa?
Eldon's population is 89.4% White, 0.0% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Eldon, IA?
The median home value in Eldon is $60,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Eldon, Iowa?
11.2% of adults (25+) in Eldon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.