Kelley, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kelley, Iowa had a total population of 382, the 545th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $111,250, which is 48% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Kelley Quick Facts
How Kelley 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 | 386 | 382 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $119,375 | $111,250 | -6.8% |
| Median home value | $218,800 | $220,800 | +0.9% |
How Kelley 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+)
Kelley Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Story County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | 67,669 | $60,991 | 25.4% | $277,400 |
| Nevada | 6,983 | $75,094 | 9.9% | $182,400 |
| Huxley | 4,544 | $112,094 | 4.5% | $297,100 |
| Story City | 3,398 | $96,605 | 12.6% | $215,600 |
| Roland | 1,559 | $79,028 | 1.1% | $185,900 |
| Slater | 1,401 | $97,500 | 3.8% | $232,800 |
| Gilbert | 1,381 | $122,656 | 3.4% | $274,600 |
| Maxwell | 905 | $97,639 | 4.1% | $184,600 |
| Cambridge | 803 | $57,333 | 11.2% | $178,100 |
| Colo | 686 | $64,000 | 6.4% | $152,000 |
Cities Similar to Kelley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donahue | 390 | $104,063 | $200,700 | 19.4% | 3.9% |
| Sandusky | 354 | $108,977 | $331,300 | 32.9% | 11.6% |
| New Vienna | 372 | $93,250 | $201,600 | 16.4% | 4.6% |
| Riverdale | 396 | $95,000 | $276,300 | 39.9% | 4.0% |
| Alleman | 429 | $121,875 | $299,200 | 47.6% | 0.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 382, Kelley'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
Kelley is a small community located in Iowa, within Story County. The total population is 382. It ranks as the 545th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kelley is 32.7 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 12.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kelley is $111,250. This is 48% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 38% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $220,800. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Kelley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kelley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 5.0%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
32.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 98.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kelley, 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 Kelley, Iowa?
Kelley, Iowa has a population of 382 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kelley, IA?
The median household income in Kelley is $111,250, which is 38% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kelley, IA?
The poverty rate in Kelley is 7.8%. This means approximately 30 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kelley, Iowa?
Kelley's population is 85.3% White, 5.0% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kelley, IA?
The median home value in Kelley is $220,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Kelley, Iowa?
32.7% of adults (25+) in Kelley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.