Mediapolis, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mediapolis, Iowa had a total population of 1,928, the 173rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $75,543, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 9.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 35.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Mediapolis Quick Facts
How Mediapolis 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 | 1,930 | 1,928 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $71,250 | $75,543 | +6.0% |
| Median home value | $167,300 | $179,700 | +7.4% |
How Mediapolis 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+)
Mediapolis Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Des Moines County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 23,728 | $59,000 | 13.2% | $114,300 |
| West Burlington | 3,189 | $48,542 | 23.8% | $124,000 |
| Danville | 930 | $80,192 | 15.5% | $158,500 |
| Beaverdale | 910 | $57,357 | 27.1% | $170,900 |
| Middletown | 322 | $56,750 | 15.0% | $163,600 |
| Oak Hills | 137 | $250,000+ | 8.8% | $373,900 |
| Yarmouth | 85 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Kingston | 77 | $73,333 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Sperry | 73 | $67,050 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Augusta | 26 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Mediapolis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Britt | 1,882 | $72,943 | $101,900 | 27.6% | 10.1% |
| Durant | 1,946 | $81,625 | $194,300 | 29.3% | 7.8% |
| Mount Ayr | 1,816 | $74,167 | $152,000 | 24.7% | 10.9% |
| Pleasantville | 1,899 | $67,614 | $168,300 | 20.0% | 4.1% |
| Epworth | 1,894 | $84,271 | $239,900 | 29.6% | 5.2% |
Population Overview
Mediapolis is a small community located in Iowa, within Des Moines County. The total population is 1,928. It ranks as the 173rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mediapolis is 35.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 31.6% of the population under 18, Mediapolis has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mediapolis is $75,543. This is about the same as the state median of $75,059. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.7%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $179,700. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Mediapolis is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mediapolis has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
35.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Mediapolis in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 13% higher 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 94.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mediapolis, 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 Mediapolis, Iowa?
Mediapolis, Iowa has a population of 1,928 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mediapolis, IA?
The median household income in Mediapolis is $75,543, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mediapolis, IA?
The poverty rate in Mediapolis is 9.7%. This means approximately 182 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mediapolis, Iowa?
Mediapolis's population is 88.2% White, 1.1% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mediapolis, IA?
The median home value in Mediapolis is $179,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Mediapolis, Iowa?
35.5% of adults (25+) in Mediapolis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.