Harpers Ferry, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harpers Ferry, Iowa had a total population of 253, the 647th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $44,107, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Harpers Ferry Quick Facts
How Harpers Ferry 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 | 210 | 253 | +20.5% |
| Median household income | $37,813 | $44,107 | +16.6% |
| Median home value | $165,100 | $174,200 | +5.5% |
How Harpers Ferry 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+)
Harpers Ferry Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Allamakee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukon | 3,792 | $60,269 | 10.0% | $147,200 |
| Lansing | 1,115 | $65,625 | 5.1% | $167,500 |
| New Albin | 399 | $61,953 | 3.5% | $134,600 |
| Waterville | 137 | $44,750 | 6.6% | $99,000 |
Cities Similar to Harpers Ferry
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douds | 243 | N/A | $96,700 | 27.5% | 41.6% |
| Mallard | 263 | $45,909 | $57,500 | 7.4% | 19.0% |
| Greeley | 252 | $49,375 | $98,300 | 1.2% | 22.0% |
| Meservey | 262 | $46,750 | $50,800 | 7.2% | 31.7% |
| Kiron | 249 | $48,750 | $67,600 | 5.7% | 40.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 253, Harpers Ferry'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
Harpers Ferry is a small community located in Iowa, within Allamakee County. The total population is 253. It ranks as the 647th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harpers Ferry is 66.6 years. This is 73% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 4.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harpers Ferry is $44,107. This is 41% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.9%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $174,200. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 95.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Harpers Ferry has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 96.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harpers Ferry, 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 Harpers Ferry, Iowa?
Harpers Ferry, Iowa has a population of 253 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harpers Ferry, IA?
The median household income in Harpers Ferry is $44,107, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harpers Ferry, IA?
The poverty rate in Harpers Ferry is 9.9%. This means approximately 25 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harpers Ferry, Iowa?
Harpers Ferry's population is 94.1% White, 0.0% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harpers Ferry, IA?
The median home value in Harpers Ferry is $174,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Harpers Ferry, Iowa?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Harpers Ferry hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.