Hiawatha, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hiawatha, Iowa had a total population of 7,206, the 58th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $66,270, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Hiawatha Quick Facts
How Hiawatha 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 | 7,178 | 7,206 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $67,628 | $66,270 | -2.0% |
| Median home value | $210,200 | $216,900 | +3.2% |
How Hiawatha 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hiawatha Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Linn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 137,264 | $70,424 | 10.8% | $187,100 |
| Marion | 41,896 | $86,743 | 8.2% | $241,700 |
| Mount Vernon | 4,513 | $112,656 | 8.2% | $245,200 |
| Robins | 3,332 | $122,262 | 8.9% | $413,400 |
| Fairfax | 2,900 | $114,375 | 6.2% | $274,500 |
| Center Point | 2,562 | $95,192 | 5.1% | $212,400 |
| Ely | 2,186 | $105,882 | 2.4% | $311,900 |
| Lisbon | 1,714 | $93,906 | 4.4% | $219,700 |
| Palo | 1,438 | $106,375 | 5.5% | $282,400 |
| Central City | 1,356 | $85,400 | 3.9% | $179,700 |
Cities Similar to Hiawatha
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decorah | 7,535 | $64,366 | $244,500 | 42.2% | 8.1% |
| Charles City | 7,232 | $59,180 | $115,400 | 12.8% | 13.3% |
| Knoxville | 7,473 | $61,599 | $160,300 | 30.6% | 12.5% |
| Nevada | 6,983 | $75,094 | $182,400 | 29.6% | 9.9% |
| Webster City | 7,769 | $63,430 | $127,200 | 23.2% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Hiawatha is a small city located in Iowa, within Linn County. The total population is 7,206. It ranks as the 58th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hiawatha is 32.4 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.3% of the population under 18, Hiawatha has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hiawatha is $66,270. This is 12% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $216,900. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 66.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hiawatha is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.8% vs 3.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.6% vs 2.5%).
Education
32.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% higher 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 94.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hiawatha, 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 Hiawatha, Iowa?
Hiawatha, Iowa has a population of 7,206 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hiawatha, IA?
The median household income in Hiawatha is $66,270, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hiawatha, IA?
The poverty rate in Hiawatha is 13.7%. This means approximately 971 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hiawatha, Iowa?
Hiawatha's population is 71.2% White, 6.8% Black, 9.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hiawatha, IA?
The median home value in Hiawatha is $216,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Hiawatha, Iowa?
32.4% of adults (25+) in Hiawatha hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.