Lucas County, Iowa Demographics 2026
Lucas County, Iowa has a population of 8,716, the 83rd most populous county in Iowa. The median household income is $61,793 and the median home value is $120,200. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Lucas County Quick Facts
How Lucas County 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 | 8,685 | 8,716 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $67,921 | $61,793 | -9.0% |
| Median home value | $117,000 | $120,200 | +2.7% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Lucas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chariton | 4,242 | $46,979 | 17.2% | $81,900 |
| Russell | 613 | $44,821 | 24.6% | $61,500 |
| Williamson | 190 | $45,000 | 35.8% | N/A |
| Lucas | 145 | $25,500 | 24.8% | $33,800 |
| Derby | 110 | $56,250 | 35.4% | $92,500 |
Explore Iowa Rankings
Population Overview
Lucas County is located in Iowa with a total population of 8,716. It is the 83rd most populous county out of 99 in Iowa. The county encompasses 5 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lucas County is 41.9 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lucas County is $61,793. This is 18% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 44% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $120,200. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Lucas County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lucas County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
15.8% 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 50% 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 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Lucas County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Iowa and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lucas County, Iowa?
Lucas County has a population of 8,716, making it the 83rd most populous county in Iowa.
What is the median income in Lucas County?
The median household income in Lucas County is $61,793 with a poverty rate of 14.9%.
How many cities are in Lucas County, Iowa?
Lucas County contains 5 Census-designated places.