Mystic, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mystic, Iowa had a total population of 216, the 684th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $41,000, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 1.2% 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 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.2% is notably above the national average.
Mystic Quick Facts
How Mystic 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 | 257 | 216 | -16.0% |
| Median household income | $42,222 | $41,000 | -2.9% |
| Median home value | $56,900 | $57,500 | +1.1% |
How Mystic 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+)
Mystic Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Appanoose County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerville | 5,372 | $46,563 | 21.3% | $103,000 |
| Moravia | 624 | $49,286 | 10.3% | $121,700 |
| Moulton | 498 | $66,250 | 15.9% | $81,800 |
| Cincinnati | 229 | $45,625 | 23.6% | $56,400 |
| Unionville | 78 | $82,813 | 5.1% | $95,000 |
| Exline | 73 | $43,750 | 12.3% | $85,600 |
| Numa | 58 | $63,125 | 12.1% | N/A |
| Plano | 39 | $63,750 | 2.6% | $93,300 |
| Rathbun | 30 | $71,875 | 6.7% | $151,800 |
| Udell | 13 | $90,000 | 23.1% | $55,000 |
Cities Similar to Mystic
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bagley | 223 | $38,906 | $80,000 | 10.2% | 19.0% |
| Brunsville | 210 | $45,000 | $129,200 | 17.1% | 19.5% |
| Conroy | 199 | N/A | $213,000 | 51.8% | 4.0% |
| Marathon | 234 | $39,375 | $46,900 | 11.8% | 25.2% |
| Cincinnati | 229 | $45,625 | $56,400 | 11.5% | 23.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 216, Mystic'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
Mystic is a small community located in Iowa, within Appanoose County. The total population is 216. It ranks as the 684th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mystic is 50.6 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mystic is $41,000. This is 45% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.1%. This is 55% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 9.2%. This is 158% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $57,500. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Mystic is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mystic has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.3% of all residents.
Education
1.2% 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 96% 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 91.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mystic, 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 Mystic, Iowa?
Mystic, Iowa has a population of 216 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mystic, IA?
The median household income in Mystic is $41,000, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mystic, IA?
The poverty rate in Mystic is 17.1%. This means approximately 37 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mystic, Iowa?
Mystic's population is 96.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mystic, IA?
The median home value in Mystic is $57,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Mystic, Iowa?
1.2% of adults (25+) in Mystic hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.