Irwin, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Irwin, Iowa had a total population of 352, the 567th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $40,417, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Irwin Quick Facts
How Irwin 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 | 297 | 352 | +18.5% |
| Median household income | $47,917 | $40,417 | -15.7% |
| Median home value | $71,100 | $72,900 | +2.5% |
How Irwin 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+)
Irwin Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harlan | 4,891 | $57,488 | 9.0% | $152,500 |
| Shelby | 752 | $63,654 | 10.2% | $162,500 |
| Elk Horn | 728 | $64,250 | 12.0% | $133,200 |
| Earling | 478 | $43,750 | 9.3% | $125,000 |
| Defiance | 251 | $53,542 | 11.6% | $101,600 |
| Panama | 245 | $63,125 | 7.4% | $142,200 |
| Portsmouth | 204 | $80,781 | 4.9% | $125,000 |
| Westphalia | 117 | $77,083 | 3.4% | $97,400 |
| Tennant | 84 | $62,885 | 0.0% | $210,000 |
| Kirkman | 58 | $77,917 | 10.3% | $118,800 |
Cities Similar to Irwin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cantril | 335 | $40,000 | $80,000 | 17.2% | 8.1% |
| Otho | 380 | $43,482 | $89,900 | 8.5% | 15.5% |
| Salem | 349 | $51,250 | $85,700 | 9.6% | 18.1% |
| Deloit | 309 | $40,625 | $96,600 | 18.3% | 17.5% |
| Chelsea | 404 | $40,313 | $43,500 | 6.6% | 25.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 352, Irwin'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
Irwin is a small community located in Iowa, within Shelby County. The total population is 352. It ranks as the 567th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Irwin is 48.5 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 15.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Irwin is $40,417. This is 46% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.5%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $72,900. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Irwin is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Irwin has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.7%.
Education
24.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 96.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Irwin, 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 Irwin, Iowa?
Irwin, Iowa has a population of 352 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Irwin, IA?
The median household income in Irwin is $40,417, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Irwin, IA?
The poverty rate in Irwin is 15.5%. This means approximately 54 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Irwin, Iowa?
Irwin's population is 91.5% White, 0.0% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Irwin, IA?
The median home value in Irwin is $72,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Irwin, Iowa?
24.6% of adults (25+) in Irwin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.