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Melvin city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 36.6% is well above the state average
Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 0.8x is exceptionally low

As of 2026, Melvin city, Iowa has a total population of 311, the 593rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $65,795, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.6%.

Key Takeaways

Melvin city Quick Facts

Population 311
Median Household Income $65,795
Median Home Value $51,500
Poverty Rate 36.6%
Unemployment Rate 4.8%
Median Age 31.8 years
Homeownership Rate 79.4%
Affordability Ratio 0.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 7.7%
High School Graduation Rate 66.3%
Diversity Index 48/100
Population 311 593rd of 1,018
Median Income $65,795 average
Poverty Rate 36.6% 194% higher national
Median Home Value $51,500 bottom 10%

How Melvin city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

4.8% Unemployment Rate State: 3.6% | National: 5.2%
64.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 79.4%
Renter 20.6%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
0.8x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

48out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 30 | National average: 60

Education

Melvin city Rankings in Iowa

#593 Population of 1,018
#456 Median Income of 1,018
#849 Education of 1,018
#894 Home Value of 1,018

Cities Similar to Melvin city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Westside city307$65,000$133,80023.1%2.6%
Deep River city315$67,143$82,1005.6%9.2%
Middletown city319$64,167$144,30018.1%11.4%
Goose Lake city309$70,625$125,00022.0%20.6%
Floyd city308$61,000$106,7009.5%4.9%

Population Overview

Melvin city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 311. It ranks as the 593rd most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Melvin city is 31.8 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 35.0% of the population under 18, Melvin city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Melvin city is $65,795. This is 10% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 16% lower. The poverty rate stands at 36.6%. This is 233% 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 4.8%. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $51,500. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x, Melvin city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Melvin city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (36.0% vs 7.0%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

7.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 66.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Melvin 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Melvin city, Iowa?

Melvin city, Iowa has a population of 311 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Melvin city, IA?

The median household income in Melvin city is $65,795, which is 16% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Melvin city, IA?

The poverty rate in Melvin city is 36.6%. This means approximately 113 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Melvin city, Iowa?

Melvin city's population is 62.7% White, 0.0% Black, 36.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.

What is the median home value in Melvin city, IA?

The median home value in Melvin city is $51,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.8x.

How educated is Melvin city, Iowa?

7.7% of adults (25+) in Melvin city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.