Meservey, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Meservey, Iowa had a total population of 262, the 640th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $46,750, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.2% 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 1.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Meservey Quick Facts
How Meservey 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 | 300 | 262 | -12.7% |
| Median household income | $54,063 | $46,750 | -13.5% |
| Median home value | $54,100 | $50,800 | -6.1% |
How Meservey 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Meservey Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Cerro Gordo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason City | 27,050 | $64,804 | 12.0% | $142,000 |
| Clear Lake | 7,607 | $79,415 | 8.3% | $259,500 |
| Nora Springs | 1,363 | $78,594 | 5.3% | $134,500 |
| Rockwell | 986 | $60,982 | 14.8% | $163,300 |
| Ventura | 733 | $91,944 | 5.7% | $389,500 |
| Thornton | 514 | $67,031 | 9.3% | $115,500 |
| Plymouth | 407 | $80,000 | 13.0% | $125,700 |
| Swaledale | 148 | $51,912 | 4.7% | $62,900 |
| Rock Falls | 119 | $71,042 | 5.9% | $156,300 |
| Dougherty | 88 | $45,500 | 8.0% | $50,000 |
Cities Similar to Meservey
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mallard | 263 | $45,909 | $57,500 | 7.4% | 19.0% |
| South English | 260 | $51,016 | $97,000 | 8.3% | 13.9% |
| Kensett | 270 | $44,643 | $67,100 | 9.6% | 8.2% |
| Lineville | 259 | $50,833 | $56,100 | 10.7% | 20.5% |
| Grafton | 271 | $48,750 | $93,300 | 14.3% | 10.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 262, Meservey'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
Meservey is a small community located in Iowa, within Cerro Gordo County. The total population is 262. It ranks as the 640th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Meservey is 31.8 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 37.8% of the population under 18, Meservey has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Meservey is $46,750. This is 38% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.7%. This is 186% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. 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 1.1%. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $50,800. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Meservey is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Meservey is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (27.5% vs 7.3%).
Education
7.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 69.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Meservey, 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 Meservey, Iowa?
Meservey, Iowa has a population of 262 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Meservey, IA?
The median household income in Meservey is $46,750, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Meservey, IA?
The poverty rate in Meservey is 31.7%. This means approximately 83 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Meservey, Iowa?
Meservey's population is 66.8% White, 0.0% Black, 27.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Meservey, IA?
The median home value in Meservey is $50,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Meservey, Iowa?
7.2% of adults (25+) in Meservey hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.