Mallard, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mallard, Iowa had a total population of 263, the 639th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $45,909, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.4% 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 1.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.9% is notably above the national average.
Mallard Quick Facts
How Mallard 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 | 263 | -1.9% |
| Median household income | $44,625 | $45,909 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $55,400 | $57,500 | +3.8% |
How Mallard 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+)
Mallard Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Palo Alto County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmetsburg | 3,648 | $55,833 | 15.2% | $114,300 |
| Graettinger | 1,096 | $82,417 | 5.9% | $88,500 |
| Ruthven | 732 | $58,625 | 15.3% | $105,700 |
| Ayrshire | 146 | $58,906 | 6.2% | $28,500 |
| Curlew | 54 | $64,688 | 13.0% | $58,000 |
| Cylinder | 46 | $62,500 | 10.9% | $91,700 |
| Rodman | 26 | $58,750 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Mallard
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meservey | 262 | $46,750 | $50,800 | 7.2% | 31.7% |
| Kensett | 270 | $44,643 | $67,100 | 9.6% | 8.2% |
| Lohrville | 277 | $46,250 | $52,100 | 16.0% | 14.1% |
| Harpers Ferry | 253 | $44,107 | $174,200 | 13.2% | 9.9% |
| Grafton | 271 | $48,750 | $93,300 | 14.3% | 10.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 263, Mallard'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
Mallard is a small community located in Iowa, within Palo Alto County. The total population is 263. It ranks as the 639th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mallard is 46.8 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mallard is $45,909. This is 39% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.0%. This is 72% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 14.9%. This is 316% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $57,500. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Mallard is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mallard has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.8% vs 3.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
7.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 98.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mallard, 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 Mallard, Iowa?
Mallard, Iowa has a population of 263 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mallard, IA?
The median household income in Mallard is $45,909, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mallard, IA?
The poverty rate in Mallard is 19.0%. This means approximately 50 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mallard, Iowa?
Mallard's population is 89.0% White, 6.8% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mallard, IA?
The median home value in Mallard is $57,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Mallard, Iowa?
7.4% of adults (25+) in Mallard hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.