Emerson city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Emerson city, Iowa has a total population of 547, the 449th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $47,426, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Emerson city Quick Facts
How Emerson city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Emerson city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Cities Similar to Emerson city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell city | 551 | $50,750 | $60,400 | 5.1% | 18.5% |
| Seymour city | 558 | $45,000 | $78,600 | 13.4% | 18.4% |
| Colesburg city | 585 | $50,000 | $103,700 | 10.9% | 6.0% |
| Sutherland city | 570 | $53,393 | $86,900 | 13.3% | 12.4% |
| Farmington city | 531 | $54,643 | $63,600 | 10.6% | 9.8% |
Population Overview
Emerson city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 547. It ranks as the 449th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Emerson city is 45.1 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Emerson city is $47,426. This is 35% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 48% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 91% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $113,600. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Emerson city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Emerson city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
10.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Emerson city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Emerson city, Iowa?
Emerson city, Iowa has a population of 547 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Emerson city, IA?
The median household income in Emerson city is $47,426, which is 40% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Emerson city, IA?
The poverty rate in Emerson city is 16.3%. This means approximately 89 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Emerson city, Iowa?
Emerson city's population is 92.1% White, 0.0% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Emerson city, IA?
The median home value in Emerson city is $113,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Emerson city, Iowa?
10.5% of adults (25+) in Emerson city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.