Independence, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Independence, Iowa had a total population of 6,164, the 64th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $73,806, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Independence Quick Facts
How Independence 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 | 6,149 | 6,164 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $72,250 | $73,806 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $156,900 | $165,300 | +5.4% |
How Independence 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+)
Independence Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Buchanan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbank | 1,275 | $89,712 | 4.1% | $186,900 |
| Winthrop | 1,040 | $69,792 | 3.8% | $158,200 |
| Hazleton | 720 | $51,964 | 14.9% | $85,900 |
| Quasqueton | 703 | $75,000 | 12.7% | $145,800 |
| Lamont | 514 | $61,250 | 13.0% | $98,600 |
| Rowley | 353 | $60,313 | 9.5% | $145,800 |
| Brandon | 307 | $61,250 | 13.0% | $113,800 |
| Aurora | 214 | $62,656 | 11.7% | $128,300 |
| Stanley | 69 | $70,500 | 7.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Independence
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange City | 6,426 | $82,122 | $264,000 | 44.2% | 11.2% |
| Maquoketa | 6,075 | $60,240 | $132,500 | 19.7% | 14.2% |
| Nevada | 6,983 | $75,094 | $182,400 | 29.6% | 9.9% |
| Osceola | 5,523 | $68,284 | $146,300 | 14.0% | 6.4% |
| Spirit Lake | 5,518 | $65,720 | $215,100 | 26.8% | 6.3% |
Population Overview
Independence is a small city located in Iowa, within Buchanan County. The total population is 6,164. It ranks as the 64th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Independence is 40.9 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Independence is $73,806. This is 2% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.6%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $165,300. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Independence is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Independence has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.9%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
24.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Independence, 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 Independence, Iowa?
Independence, Iowa has a population of 6,164 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Independence, IA?
The median household income in Independence is $73,806, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Independence, IA?
The poverty rate in Independence is 7.6%. This means approximately 459 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Independence, Iowa?
Independence's population is 94.0% White, 1.3% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Independence, IA?
The median home value in Independence is $165,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Independence, Iowa?
24.7% of adults (25+) in Independence hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.