New Sharon, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Sharon, Iowa had a total population of 1,180, the 254th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $48,750, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
New Sharon Quick Facts
How New Sharon 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 | 1,147 | 1,180 | +2.9% |
| Median household income | $60,000 | $48,750 | -18.8% |
| Median home value | $125,000 | $133,600 | +6.9% |
How New Sharon 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+)
New Sharon Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Mahaska County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oskaloosa | 11,504 | $64,004 | 16.6% | $153,300 |
| Fremont | 924 | $78,333 | 10.9% | $104,900 |
| University Park | 645 | $74,167 | 9.5% | $113,100 |
| Beacon | 425 | $55,625 | 20.5% | $77,900 |
| Rose Hill | 300 | $82,917 | 9.0% | $67,900 |
| Leighton | 150 | $66,389 | 2.0% | $126,600 |
| Keomah Village | 123 | $79,688 | 11.4% | $200,000 |
| Barnes City | 117 | $82,500 | 2.6% | $110,300 |
Cities Similar to New Sharon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunlap | 1,170 | $49,375 | $139,900 | 10.9% | 7.2% |
| Laurens | 1,206 | $48,988 | $60,300 | 13.9% | 15.0% |
| Clarence | 1,166 | $56,250 | $154,300 | 9.3% | 12.1% |
| Melcher-Dallas | 1,176 | $58,611 | $99,800 | 22.1% | 13.6% |
| Fayette | 1,309 | $47,917 | $119,000 | 32.6% | 25.7% |
Population Overview
New Sharon is a small community located in Iowa, within Mahaska County. The total population is 1,180. It ranks as the 254th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Sharon is 40.9 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Sharon is $48,750. This is 35% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 30% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $133,600. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, New Sharon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
New Sharon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.1% of all residents.
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Sharon, 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 New Sharon, Iowa?
New Sharon, Iowa has a population of 1,180 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Sharon, IA?
The median household income in New Sharon is $48,750, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Sharon, IA?
The poverty rate in New Sharon is 14.4%. This means approximately 170 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Sharon, Iowa?
New Sharon's population is 95.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Sharon, IA?
The median home value in New Sharon is $133,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is New Sharon, Iowa?
21.0% of adults (25+) in New Sharon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.