Leland, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Leland, Iowa had a total population of 306, the 601st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $52,500, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 4.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.3% is notably above the national average.
Leland Quick Facts
How Leland 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 | 214 | 306 | +43.0% |
| Median household income | $52,500 | $52,500 | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $79,200 | $92,900 | +17.3% |
How Leland 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+)
Leland Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Winnebago County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mills | 2,088 | $61,875 | 15.3% | $122,600 |
| Buffalo Center | 911 | $52,917 | 8.2% | $100,500 |
| Thompson | 459 | $61,250 | 7.5% | $95,700 |
| Rake | 190 | $42,386 | 23.3% | $49,000 |
| Scarville | 66 | N/A | 27.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Leland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blakesburg | 310 | $51,000 | $85,900 | 11.9% | 21.8% |
| Lu Verne | 318 | $51,250 | $61,700 | 15.6% | 24.2% |
| Cumberland | 302 | $47,083 | $62,900 | 5.2% | 18.9% |
| Kimballton | 319 | $55,417 | $107,100 | 9.8% | 32.6% |
| Steamboat Rock | 312 | $47,188 | $105,800 | 21.6% | 6.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 306, Leland'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
Leland is a small community located in Iowa, within Winnebago County. The total population is 306. It ranks as the 601st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Leland is 33.0 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 30.4% of the population under 18, Leland has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Leland is $52,500. This is 30% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.7%. This is 69% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 11.3%. This is 215% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $92,900. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Leland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Leland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.4% vs 7.3%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
4.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 84% 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 83.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Leland, 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 Leland, Iowa?
Leland, Iowa has a population of 306 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Leland, IA?
The median household income in Leland is $52,500, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Leland, IA?
The poverty rate in Leland is 18.7%. This means approximately 56 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Leland, Iowa?
Leland's population is 70.9% White, 2.9% Black, 14.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Leland, IA?
The median home value in Leland is $92,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Leland, Iowa?
4.9% of adults (25+) in Leland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.