Fontanelle, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fontanelle, Iowa had a total population of 615, the 420th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $67,750, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.9% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Fontanelle Quick Facts
How Fontanelle 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 | 629 | 615 | -2.2% |
| Median household income | $66,500 | $67,750 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $93,800 | $103,000 | +9.8% |
How Fontanelle 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+)
Fontanelle Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Adair County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenfield | 1,894 | $56,607 | 14.3% | $137,700 |
| Adair | 830 | $54,550 | 4.3% | $127,800 |
| Orient | 448 | $73,750 | 12.7% | $113,100 |
| Bridgewater | 124 | $59,167 | 16.7% | $56,700 |
Cities Similar to Fontanelle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray | 614 | $65,500 | $80,800 | 18.9% | 8.0% |
| Ainsworth | 633 | $68,333 | $118,400 | 7.9% | 4.3% |
| Manilla | 630 | $65,156 | $88,300 | 10.2% | 6.2% |
| Grand Junction | 603 | $61,667 | $77,000 | 10.2% | 11.5% |
| Van Horne | 612 | $77,344 | $184,500 | 22.5% | 14.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 615, Fontanelle'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
Fontanelle is a small community located in Iowa, within Adair County. The total population is 615. It ranks as the 420th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fontanelle is 47.0 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 11.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fontanelle is $67,750. This is 10% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. This is 56% 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 8.3%. This is 133% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $103,000. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Fontanelle is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fontanelle has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.8%.
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 98.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fontanelle, 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 Fontanelle, Iowa?
Fontanelle, Iowa has a population of 615 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fontanelle, IA?
The median household income in Fontanelle is $67,750, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fontanelle, IA?
The poverty rate in Fontanelle is 4.9%. This means approximately 28 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fontanelle, Iowa?
Fontanelle's population is 95.3% White, 2.8% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fontanelle, IA?
The median home value in Fontanelle is $103,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Fontanelle, Iowa?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Fontanelle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.