Emerson, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Emerson, Iowa had a total population of 570, the 438th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $49,063, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Emerson Quick Facts
How Emerson 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 | 547 | 570 | +4.2% |
| Median household income | $47,426 | $49,063 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $113,600 | $119,500 | +5.2% |
How Emerson 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+)
Emerson Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Mills County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenwood | 5,144 | $71,790 | 11.8% | $206,200 |
| Malvern | 1,323 | $84,223 | 6.6% | $174,700 |
| Tabor | 877 | $58,750 | 14.5% | $204,200 |
| Silver City | 504 | $67,250 | 19.8% | $156,800 |
| Hastings | 164 | $84,375 | 9.2% | $90,700 |
| Pacific Junction | 150 | N/A | 14.0% | $149,100 |
| Henderson | 143 | $54,375 | 25.4% | $77,500 |
| Mineola | 110 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Emerson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What Cheer | 580 | $48,182 | $49,200 | 14.5% | 21.2% |
| Brighton | 588 | $50,481 | $92,900 | 8.1% | 29.7% |
| Swea City | 591 | $47,656 | $56,400 | 15.2% | 27.0% |
| Charter Oak | 580 | $53,042 | $77,700 | 7.6% | 7.6% |
| Garwin | 571 | $55,714 | $87,600 | 9.5% | 7.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 570, Emerson'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
Emerson is a small community located in Iowa, within Mills County. The total population is 570. It ranks as the 438th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Emerson is 45.4 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Emerson is $49,063. This is 35% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.1%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $119,500. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Emerson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Emerson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.4% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
9.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 79.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Emerson, 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 Emerson, Iowa?
Emerson, Iowa has a population of 570 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Emerson, IA?
The median household income in Emerson is $49,063, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Emerson, IA?
The poverty rate in Emerson is 15.1%. This means approximately 86 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Emerson, Iowa?
Emerson's population is 94.4% White, 0.0% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Emerson, IA?
The median home value in Emerson is $119,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Emerson, Iowa?
9.9% of adults (25+) in Emerson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.