Lewis, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lewis, Iowa had a total population of 461, the 485th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $36,691, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 5.2% 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 1.4x.
Lewis Quick Facts
How Lewis 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 | 465 | 461 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $34,341 | $36,691 | +6.8% |
| Median home value | $60,700 | $49,900 | -17.8% |
How Lewis 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+)
Lewis Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Cass County
Cities Similar to Lewis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford Junction | 461 | $37,969 | $72,500 | 5.1% | 15.0% |
| Arlington | 427 | $38,958 | $112,000 | 12.2% | 15.0% |
| Marquette | 443 | $42,292 | $164,400 | 13.0% | 22.6% |
| Earling | 478 | $43,750 | $125,000 | 26.9% | 9.3% |
| Dow City | 454 | $48,421 | $126,900 | 4.7% | 21.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 461, Lewis'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
Lewis is a small community located in Iowa, within Cass County. The total population is 461. It ranks as the 485th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lewis is 58.6 years. This is 52% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lewis is $36,691. This is 51% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $49,900. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Lewis is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lewis has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.1%.
Education
5.2% 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 83% 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 90.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lewis, 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 Lewis, Iowa?
Lewis, Iowa has a population of 461 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lewis, IA?
The median household income in Lewis is $36,691, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lewis, IA?
The poverty rate in Lewis is 13.9%. This means approximately 64 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lewis, Iowa?
Lewis's population is 91.3% White, 0.0% Black, 4.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lewis, IA?
The median home value in Lewis is $49,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Lewis, Iowa?
5.2% of adults (25+) in Lewis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.