Lakota, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lakota, Iowa had a total population of 266, the 635th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $68,750, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
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 0.7x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Lakota Quick Facts
How Lakota 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 | 249 | 266 | +6.8% |
| Median household income | $73,250 | $68,750 | -6.1% |
| Median home value | $42,300 | $49,000 | +15.8% |
How Lakota 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+)
Lakota Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Kossuth County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algona | 5,377 | $56,040 | 6.9% | $160,800 |
| West Bend | 855 | $86,154 | 7.4% | $159,700 |
| Bancroft | 626 | $60,000 | 10.2% | $120,700 |
| Swea City | 591 | $47,656 | 27.0% | $56,400 |
| Whittemore | 569 | $78,702 | 4.2% | $100,500 |
| Burt | 511 | $66,750 | 18.8% | $75,000 |
| Titonka | 452 | $72,250 | 8.2% | $65,800 |
| Wesley | 360 | $68,125 | 10.8% | $95,000 |
| Lu Verne | 318 | $51,250 | 24.2% | $61,700 |
| Fenton | 290 | $55,417 | 6.6% | $55,000 |
Cities Similar to Lakota
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granville | 265 | $68,750 | $162,500 | 14.1% | 7.2% |
| Rhodes | 265 | $73,083 | $98,000 | 9.1% | 7.5% |
| Cleghorn | 271 | $65,625 | $98,800 | 14.2% | 6.6% |
| Pisgah | 255 | $66,250 | $68,000 | 12.6% | 6.3% |
| Atalissa | 253 | $67,188 | $127,900 | 16.2% | 7.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 266, Lakota'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
Lakota is a small community located in Iowa, within Kossuth County. The total population is 266. It ranks as the 635th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lakota is 42.3 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 11.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lakota is $68,750. This is 8% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $49,000. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.7x, Lakota is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lakota is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.9% vs 2.5%).
Education
18.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 93.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lakota, 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 Lakota, Iowa?
Lakota, Iowa has a population of 266 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lakota, IA?
The median household income in Lakota is $68,750, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lakota, IA?
The poverty rate in Lakota is 13.2%. This means approximately 35 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lakota, Iowa?
Lakota's population is 79.7% White, 0.0% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lakota, IA?
The median home value in Lakota is $49,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.7x.
How educated is Lakota, Iowa?
18.5% of adults (25+) in Lakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.