Kalona, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kalona, Iowa had a total population of 2,692, the 135th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $80,129, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.6% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.4%.
Kalona Quick Facts
How Kalona 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 | 2,679 | 2,692 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $72,766 | $80,129 | +10.1% |
| Median home value | $221,300 | $257,900 | +16.5% |
How Kalona 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+)
Kalona Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 7,290 | $55,373 | 12.8% | $152,300 |
| Wellman | 1,454 | $57,560 | 3.6% | $174,500 |
| Keota | 891 | $64,188 | 10.4% | $106,600 |
| Riverside | 890 | $84,091 | 2.3% | $183,700 |
| Ainsworth | 633 | $68,333 | 4.3% | $118,400 |
| Brighton | 588 | $50,481 | 29.7% | $92,900 |
| Crawfordsville | 312 | $75,625 | 6.1% | $79,200 |
| West Chester | 178 | $49,375 | 24.2% | $80,300 |
| Coppock | 29 | N/A | 17.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Kalona
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grundy Center | 2,809 | $80,357 | $177,900 | 24.5% | 11.1% |
| Eldora | 2,617 | $77,188 | $133,000 | 21.1% | 12.0% |
| Mitchellville | 2,579 | $81,172 | $206,600 | 14.9% | 10.3% |
| Hawarden | 2,658 | $74,167 | $136,300 | 18.0% | 7.2% |
| Missouri Valley | 2,666 | $71,818 | $148,500 | 18.2% | 9.7% |
Population Overview
Kalona is a small community located in Iowa, within Washington County. The total population is 2,692. It ranks as the 135th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kalona is 41.4 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.7% 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 Kalona is $80,129. This is 7% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.6%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.4%. This is 89% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $257,900. Housing costs are 24% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 65.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kalona has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.2%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
31.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kalona, 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 Kalona, Iowa?
Kalona, Iowa has a population of 2,692 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kalona, IA?
The median household income in Kalona is $80,129, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kalona, IA?
The poverty rate in Kalona is 4.6%. This means approximately 121 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kalona, Iowa?
Kalona's population is 87.7% White, 2.5% Black, 4.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kalona, IA?
The median home value in Kalona is $257,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Kalona, Iowa?
31.4% of adults (25+) in Kalona hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.