Lakeside, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lakeside, Iowa had a total population of 563, the 442nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $106,250, which is 42% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.7%.
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.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.7% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Lakeside Quick Facts
How Lakeside 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 | 678 | 563 | -17.0% |
| Median household income | $95,481 | $106,250 | +11.3% |
| Median home value | $210,900 | $246,400 | +16.8% |
How Lakeside 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+)
Lakeside Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Buena Vista County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Lake | 11,428 | $62,765 | 7.0% | $172,200 |
| Alta | 2,250 | $65,833 | 10.2% | $146,600 |
| Newell | 944 | $66,667 | 2.0% | $122,600 |
| Albert City | 722 | $80,972 | 12.9% | $96,500 |
| Sioux Rapids | 722 | $60,000 | 6.1% | $88,700 |
| Marathon | 234 | $39,375 | 25.2% | $46,900 |
| Linn Grove | 215 | $62,250 | 9.3% | $93,300 |
| Truesdale | 187 | $100,076 | 8.0% | $35,800 |
| Rembrandt | 157 | $58,438 | 19.8% | $85,800 |
Cities Similar to Lakeside
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin Lakes | 579 | $109,712 | $561,500 | 53.8% | 4.0% |
| Crescent | 549 | $116,042 | $283,900 | 25.7% | 0.4% |
| Gilman | 623 | $101,136 | $88,700 | 16.6% | 8.8% |
| Minden | 630 | $109,167 | $170,500 | 29.4% | 2.4% |
| Dows | 562 | $78,000 | $59,800 | 16.2% | 7.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 563, Lakeside'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
Lakeside is a small community located in Iowa, within Buena Vista County. The total population is 563. It ranks as the 442nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lakeside is 40.5 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lakeside is $106,250. 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 2.7%. This is 76% 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 5.3%. This is 47% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $246,400. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Lakeside is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lakeside is Hispanic or Latino, making up 51.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 44.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (51.7% vs 7.3%).
Education
25.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 83.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lakeside, 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 Lakeside, Iowa?
Lakeside, Iowa has a population of 563 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lakeside, IA?
The median household income in Lakeside is $106,250, which is 32% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lakeside, IA?
The poverty rate in Lakeside is 2.7%. This means approximately 15 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lakeside, Iowa?
Lakeside's population is 44.2% White, 0.0% Black, 51.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lakeside, IA?
The median home value in Lakeside is $246,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Lakeside, Iowa?
25.2% of adults (25+) in Lakeside hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.