Lake City, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake City, Iowa had a total population of 1,693, the 193rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $74,167, which is 1% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
Lake City Quick Facts
How Lake 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 | 1,652 | 1,693 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $64,375 | $74,167 | +15.2% |
| Median home value | $103,300 | $100,900 | -2.3% |
How Lake 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
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+)
Lake City Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Calhoun County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwell City | 2,401 | $56,741 | 10.4% | $88,500 |
| Manson | 1,645 | $66,250 | 8.9% | $116,900 |
| Twin Lakes | 579 | $109,712 | 4.0% | $561,500 |
| Pomeroy | 542 | $53,542 | 13.1% | $70,200 |
| Lytton | 357 | $62,708 | 7.6% | $65,600 |
| Lohrville | 277 | $46,250 | 14.1% | $52,100 |
| Somers | 149 | $52,750 | 33.6% | $75,600 |
| Knierim | 76 | $89,000 | 6.6% | $112,500 |
| Rinard | 62 | $69,375 | 19.4% | $55,000 |
| Jolley | 19 | N/A | 52.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Lake City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guthrie Center | 1,689 | $71,116 | $123,800 | 20.0% | 14.8% |
| Prairie City | 1,711 | $78,295 | $190,600 | 29.8% | 3.5% |
| Walcott | 1,725 | $78,580 | $190,300 | 19.6% | 6.6% |
| Wapello | 1,765 | $72,708 | $143,900 | 15.6% | 6.4% |
| Parkersburg | 1,766 | $75,885 | $196,700 | 31.2% | 4.9% |
Population Overview
Lake City is a small community located in Iowa, within Calhoun County. The total population is 1,693. It ranks as the 193rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake City is 46.5 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.5% 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 Lake City is $74,167. This is 1% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 2% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $100,900. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Lake City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lake City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.7%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
20.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 94.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake 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.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lake City, Iowa?
Lake City, Iowa has a population of 1,693 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake City, IA?
The median household income in Lake City is $74,167, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake City, IA?
The poverty rate in Lake City is 10.9%. This means approximately 178 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake City, Iowa?
Lake City's population is 87.5% White, 1.3% Black, 3.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake City, IA?
The median home value in Lake City is $100,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Lake City, Iowa?
20.0% of adults (25+) in Lake City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.