Houghton, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Houghton, Iowa had a total population of 72, the 907th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $106,042, which is 41% higher than the state average. 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
- Household income is 41% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.4% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- 36.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Houghton Quick Facts
How Houghton 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 | 87 | 72 | -17.2% |
| Median household income | $104,375 | $106,042 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $212,500 | $252,800 | +19.0% |
How Houghton 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+)
Houghton 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 |
| Franklin | 148 | N/A | 1.4% | $111,300 |
| Mooar | 144 | $69,423 | 4.9% | $77,200 |
| Wever | 142 | $43,750 | 16.2% | $311,100 |
Cities Similar to Houghton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balltown | 72 | $103,750 | $252,300 | 14.0% | 2.8% |
| Leando | 74 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 13.5% |
| Marysville | 70 | N/A | $205,000 | 0.0% | 4.3% |
| Trenton | 75 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Oto | 68 | N/A | $56,700 | 31.3% | 17.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 72, Houghton'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
Houghton is a small community located in Iowa, within Lee County. The total population is 72. It ranks as the 907th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Houghton is 52.3 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Houghton is $106,042. This is 41% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 31% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.4%. This is 87% 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 2.8%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $252,800. Housing costs are 22% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Houghton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Houghton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.9%.
Education
36.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Houghton in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Houghton, 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 Houghton, Iowa?
Houghton, Iowa has a population of 72 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Houghton, IA?
The median household income in Houghton is $106,042, which is 31% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Houghton, IA?
The poverty rate in Houghton is 1.4%. This means approximately 1 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Houghton, Iowa?
Houghton's population is 88.9% White, 0.0% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Houghton, IA?
The median home value in Houghton is $252,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Houghton, Iowa?
36.8% of adults (25+) in Houghton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.