Iowa City, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Iowa City, Iowa had a total population of 75,752, the 5th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $58,546, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Iowa City is the 5th largest city in Iowa with a population of 75,752.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 60.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
Iowa City Quick Facts
How Iowa City 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 | 75,264 | 75,752 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $57,533 | $58,546 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $273,600 | $285,900 | +4.5% |
How Iowa City 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+)
Iowa City Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Johnson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coralville | 23,234 | $69,144 | 13.0% | $298,500 |
| North Liberty | 21,125 | $102,102 | 6.1% | $303,800 |
| Tiffin | 5,737 | $100,952 | 7.6% | $338,500 |
| Solon | 3,152 | $113,295 | 3.2% | $309,400 |
| West Branch | 2,594 | $92,209 | 6.4% | $216,100 |
| University Heights | 1,384 | $111,406 | 14.4% | $429,900 |
| Lone Tree | 1,218 | $90,625 | 4.9% | $179,800 |
| Swisher | 1,182 | $100,577 | 6.9% | $260,300 |
| Hills | 974 | $83,333 | 8.4% | $240,200 |
| Oxford | 779 | $82,639 | 3.3% | $215,200 |
Cities Similar to Iowa City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | 67,008 | $57,480 | $152,600 | 21.8% | 16.6% |
| Ames | 67,669 | $60,991 | $277,400 | 65.8% | 25.4% |
| Sioux City | 86,101 | $68,906 | $173,600 | 22.9% | 15.3% |
| Council Bluffs | 62,586 | $64,578 | $171,800 | 21.5% | 15.1% |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | $309,000 | 54.9% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Iowa City is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Johnson County. The total population is 75,752. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Iowa City is 26.2 years. This is 32% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 14.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Iowa City is $58,546. This is 22% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.3%. This is 138% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $285,900. Housing costs are 37% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 47.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Iowa City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (9.4% vs 3.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.1% vs 2.5%).
Education
60.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Iowa City in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 93% 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 96.5%. Notably, 29.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, Iowa?
Iowa City, Iowa has a population of 75,752 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Iowa City, IA?
The median household income in Iowa City is $58,546, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Iowa City, IA?
The poverty rate in Iowa City is 26.3%. This means approximately 18,166 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Iowa City, Iowa?
Iowa City's population is 70.4% White, 9.4% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Iowa City, IA?
The median home value in Iowa City is $285,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Iowa City, Iowa?
60.5% of adults (25+) in Iowa City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 29.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.