Malcom, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Malcom, Iowa had a total population of 221, the 680th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $76,750, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.1%.
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 1.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Malcom Quick Facts
How Malcom 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 | 268 | 221 | -17.5% |
| Median household income | $73,056 | $76,750 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $110,100 | $109,800 | -0.3% |
How Malcom 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+)
Malcom Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Poweshiek County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grinnell | 9,505 | $65,320 | 11.1% | $209,500 |
| Brooklyn | 1,459 | $73,438 | 21.6% | $137,100 |
| Montezuma | 1,410 | $65,660 | 12.5% | $179,400 |
| Victor | 987 | $74,000 | 22.3% | $116,600 |
| Holiday Lake | 397 | $82,868 | 4.0% | $284,800 |
| Deep River | 335 | $83,125 | 3.6% | $95,200 |
| Hartwick | 114 | $83,750 | 1.8% | $90,000 |
| Searsboro | 109 | $66,250 | 17.4% | $104,200 |
| Guernsey | 50 | $70,833 | 2.0% | $73,300 |
Cities Similar to Malcom
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maysville | 220 | $71,429 | $229,800 | 13.7% | 31.4% |
| Hancock | 216 | $82,083 | $98,600 | 24.0% | 5.6% |
| Luxemburg | 229 | $83,750 | $182,800 | 20.0% | 5.7% |
| Douds | 243 | N/A | $96,700 | 27.5% | 41.6% |
| Montpelier | 209 | $70,938 | $255,100 | 11.0% | 4.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 221, Malcom'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
Malcom is a small community located in Iowa, within Poweshiek County. The total population is 221. It ranks as the 680th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Malcom is 43.4 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 14.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Malcom is $76,750. This is 2% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.1%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 80% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $109,800. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Malcom is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Malcom has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents.
Education
30.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 97.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Malcom, 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 Malcom, Iowa?
Malcom, Iowa has a population of 221 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Malcom, IA?
The median household income in Malcom is $76,750, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Malcom, IA?
The poverty rate in Malcom is 10.1%. This means approximately 22 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Malcom, Iowa?
Malcom's population is 93.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Malcom, IA?
The median home value in Malcom is $109,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Malcom, Iowa?
30.7% of adults (25+) in Malcom hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.