Melrose city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Melrose city, Iowa has a total population of 139, the 784th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $56,250, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.3%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Unemployment rate of 40.0% is notably above the national average.
Melrose city Quick Facts
How Melrose city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Melrose city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Cities Similar to Melrose city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas city | 137 | N/A | $34,200 | 4.0% | 23.4% |
| Chester city | 141 | $57,500 | $101,800 | 12.2% | 8.5% |
| Prairieburg city | 140 | $61,250 | $98,500 | 14.9% | 8.0% |
| Clemons city | 132 | $56,406 | $90,700 | 11.5% | 1.5% |
| Springbrook city | 136 | $60,625 | $135,400 | 7.8% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
Melrose city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 139. It ranks as the 784th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Melrose city is 51.8 years. This is 34% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 13.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 25.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Melrose city is $56,250. This is 23% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.3%. This is 149% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 40.0%. This is 1002% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. 98.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Melrose city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.2% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.4%.
Education
4.1% 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 87% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Melrose city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Melrose city, Iowa?
Melrose city, Iowa has a population of 139 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Melrose city, IA?
The median household income in Melrose city is $56,250, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Melrose city, IA?
The poverty rate in Melrose city is 27.3%. This means approximately 38 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Melrose city, Iowa?
Melrose city's population is 89.2% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Melrose city, IA?
The median home value in Melrose city is N/A.
How educated is Melrose city, Iowa?
4.1% of adults (25+) in Melrose city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.