Franklin, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Franklin, Iowa had a total population of 148, the 768th largest city in Iowa. The poverty rate is 1.4%.
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 1.4% — among the lowest in Iowa.
Franklin Quick Facts
How Franklin 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 | 135 | 148 | +9.6% |
| Median home value | $116,500 | $111,300 | -4.5% |
How Franklin 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+)
Franklin Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Lee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Madison | 10,133 | $50,705 | 15.0% | $94,200 |
| Keokuk | 9,662 | $52,711 | 18.3% | $104,300 |
| West Point | 840 | $73,125 | 10.2% | $178,700 |
| Denmark | 835 | $136,875 | 1.0% | $194,400 |
| Donnellson | 776 | $54,453 | 14.1% | $147,800 |
| Montrose | 744 | $66,250 | 11.7% | $103,500 |
| Sandusky | 354 | $108,977 | 11.6% | $331,300 |
| Mooar | 144 | $69,423 | 4.9% | $77,200 |
| Wever | 142 | $43,750 | 16.2% | $311,100 |
| Houghton | 72 | $106,042 | 1.4% | $252,800 |
Cities Similar to Franklin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fraser | 148 | $69,063 | $147,500 | 16.1% | 4.7% |
| Swaledale | 148 | $51,912 | $62,900 | 1.6% | 4.7% |
| Drakesville | 149 | $81,250 | $114,300 | 11.8% | 5.4% |
| Somers | 149 | $52,750 | $75,600 | 8.0% | 33.6% |
| Larrabee | 147 | $50,769 | $57,100 | 12.7% | 6.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 148, Franklin'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
Franklin is a small community located in Iowa, within Lee County. The total population is 148. It ranks as the 768th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Franklin is 44.1 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 18.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 1.4%. This is 88% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Franklin, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $111,300. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $208,000. 90.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Franklin has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.3% of all residents.
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 98.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Franklin, 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 Franklin, Iowa?
Franklin, Iowa has a population of 148 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Franklin, IA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Franklin — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Franklin, IA?
The poverty rate in Franklin is 1.4%. This means approximately 2 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Franklin, Iowa?
Franklin's population is 97.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Franklin, IA?
The median home value in Franklin is $111,300.
How educated is Franklin, Iowa?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Franklin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.