Indianola, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Indianola, Iowa had a total population of 16,044, the 30th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $75,453, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 6.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Indianola Quick Facts
How Indianola 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 | 15,918 | 16,044 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $78,125 | $75,453 | -3.4% |
| Median home value | $228,100 | $237,500 | +4.1% |
How Indianola 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+)
Indianola Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Warren County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 760 | $70,000 | 7.1% | $176,700 |
| Milo | 731 | $79,904 | 1.6% | $153,100 |
| New Virginia | 587 | $77,188 | 1.4% | $180,600 |
| Martensdale | 569 | $57,500 | 10.2% | $181,400 |
| Cumming | 545 | $162,875 | 4.4% | $508,000 |
| Lacona | 354 | $70,100 | 10.7% | $97,500 |
| St. Marys | 96 | $77,500 | 8.3% | $195,000 |
| Ackworth | 75 | $111,094 | 28.0% | $237,500 |
| Sandyville | 44 | N/A | 2.3% | $187,500 |
| Spring Hill | 39 | $86,250 | 7.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Indianola
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | 15,700 | $57,771 | $153,700 | 19.5% | 11.1% |
| Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | $304,700 | 51.5% | 4.4% |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | $303,100 | 38.8% | 4.2% |
| Boone | 12,424 | $69,222 | $173,000 | 24.0% | 8.3% |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | $274,600 | 33.5% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
Indianola is a small city located in Iowa, within Warren County. The total population is 16,044. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Indianola is 35.9 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Indianola is $75,453. This is about the same as the state median of $75,059. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 42% lower 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 $237,500. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 69.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Indianola has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
34.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 97.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Indianola, 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 Indianola, Iowa?
Indianola, Iowa has a population of 16,044 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Indianola, IA?
The median household income in Indianola is $75,453, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Indianola, IA?
The poverty rate in Indianola is 6.4%. This means approximately 945 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Indianola, Iowa?
Indianola's population is 91.8% White, 1.0% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Indianola, IA?
The median home value in Indianola is $237,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Indianola, Iowa?
34.9% of adults (25+) in Indianola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.