Milford, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Milford, Iowa had a total population of 3,311, the 117th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $63,369, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Milford Quick Facts
How Milford 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 | 3,315 | 3,311 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $60,571 | $63,369 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $211,000 | $218,400 | +3.5% |
How Milford 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+)
Milford Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Dickinson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Lake | 5,518 | $65,720 | 6.3% | $215,100 |
| Lake Park | 1,184 | $74,500 | 4.6% | $168,800 |
| Okoboji | 969 | $73,000 | 11.2% | $299,300 |
| Arnolds Park | 922 | $86,833 | 6.0% | $438,900 |
| Orleans | 527 | $74,750 | 1.9% | $573,200 |
| Wahpeton | 443 | $107,917 | 5.8% | $495,500 |
| West Okoboji | 418 | $66,250 | 3.6% | $593,800 |
| Terril | 290 | $43,889 | 16.0% | $95,500 |
| Superior | 111 | $75,625 | 3.7% | $82,900 |
Cities Similar to Milford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampton | 3,453 | $62,870 | $167,700 | 22.3% | 17.3% |
| Williamsburg | 3,360 | $58,059 | $204,300 | 40.7% | 5.8% |
| Tipton | 3,106 | $61,115 | $165,500 | 20.3% | 12.3% |
| Eagle Grove | 3,593 | $63,125 | $104,600 | 21.2% | 30.2% |
| Osage | 3,561 | $68,730 | $160,700 | 26.4% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
Milford is a small community located in Iowa, within Dickinson County. The total population is 3,311. It ranks as the 117th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Milford is 47.3 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Milford is $63,369. This is 16% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.9%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $218,400. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 70.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Milford has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
21.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 97.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Milford, 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 Milford, Iowa?
Milford, Iowa has a population of 3,311 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Milford, IA?
The median household income in Milford is $63,369, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Milford, IA?
The poverty rate in Milford is 8.9%. This means approximately 292 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Milford, Iowa?
Milford's population is 94.7% White, 0.0% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Milford, IA?
The median home value in Milford is $218,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Milford, Iowa?
21.8% of adults (25+) in Milford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.