Johnston, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Johnston, Iowa had a total population of 24,384, the 21st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $106,551, which is 42% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- 57.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Johnston Quick Facts
How Johnston 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 | 24,196 | 24,384 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $103,430 | $106,551 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $346,200 | $369,100 | +6.6% |
How Johnston 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+)
Johnston Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | 14.9% | $194,700 |
| Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | 4.2% | $331,000 |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | 8.4% | $309,000 |
| Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | 6.8% | $335,500 |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | 8.3% | $274,600 |
| Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | 7.3% | $401,100 |
| Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | 4.4% | $304,700 |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | 4.2% | $303,100 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | 8.9% | $295,100 |
| Bondurant | 8,560 | $135,674 | 6.2% | $318,800 |
Cities Similar to Johnston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Liberty | 21,125 | $102,102 | $303,800 | 54.5% | 6.1% |
| Waukee | 29,236 | $101,029 | $350,500 | 58.0% | 7.4% |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | $274,600 | 33.5% | 8.3% |
| Coralville | 23,234 | $69,144 | $298,500 | 56.0% | 13.0% |
| Clinton | 24,322 | $60,230 | $118,200 | 20.8% | 18.5% |
Population Overview
Johnston is a small city located in Iowa, within Polk County. The total population is 24,384. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Johnston is 37.4 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 30.5% of the population under 18, Johnston has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Johnston is $106,551. This is 42% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 32% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.2%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $369,100. Housing costs are 77% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 70.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Johnston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (10.6% vs 3.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.3% vs 2.5%).
Education
57.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Johnston in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 84% 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 96.9%. Notably, 22.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Johnston, 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 Johnston, Iowa?
Johnston, Iowa has a population of 24,384 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Johnston, IA?
The median household income in Johnston is $106,551, which is 32% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Johnston, IA?
The poverty rate in Johnston is 10.2%. This means approximately 2,448 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Johnston, Iowa?
Johnston's population is 75.9% White, 10.6% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Johnston, IA?
The median home value in Johnston is $369,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Johnston, Iowa?
57.8% of adults (25+) in Johnston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.