Nichols, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nichols, Iowa had a total population of 373, the 553rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $72,813, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Nichols Quick Facts
How Nichols 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 | 393 | 373 | -5.1% |
| Median household income | $87,500 | $72,813 | -16.8% |
| Median home value | $119,800 | $134,400 | +12.2% |
How Nichols 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+)
Nichols Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Muscatine County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscatine | 23,489 | $58,117 | 19.1% | $153,600 |
| West Liberty | 3,776 | $69,345 | 11.3% | $180,000 |
| Wilton | 2,920 | $76,648 | 8.9% | $189,200 |
| Kent Estates | 1,848 | $121,971 | 11.4% | $347,700 |
| Fruitland | 1,049 | $103,424 | 2.5% | $217,700 |
| Moscow | 614 | $87,181 | 0.0% | $201,800 |
| Conesville | 439 | $68,750 | 18.6% | N/A |
| Atalissa | 253 | $67,188 | 7.1% | $127,900 |
| Montpelier | 209 | $70,938 | 4.8% | $255,100 |
| Stockton | 170 | $49,500 | 12.9% | $100,000 |
Cities Similar to Nichols
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letts | 361 | $76,538 | $122,400 | 11.0% | 3.3% |
| Goose Lake | 387 | $76,875 | $139,900 | 23.6% | 20.6% |
| Minburn | 354 | $71,042 | $134,800 | 14.7% | 3.1% |
| Miles | 398 | $72,708 | $130,700 | 19.4% | 15.1% |
| Wesley | 360 | $68,125 | $95,000 | 14.1% | 10.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 373, Nichols'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
Nichols is a small community located in Iowa, within Muscatine County. The total population is 373. It ranks as the 553rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nichols is 32.8 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Nichols is $72,813. This is 3% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.6%. This is 49% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $134,400. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Nichols is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Nichols has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.9% vs 7.3%).
Education
10.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 95.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nichols, 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 Nichols, Iowa?
Nichols, Iowa has a population of 373 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nichols, IA?
The median household income in Nichols is $72,813, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nichols, IA?
The poverty rate in Nichols is 5.6%. This means approximately 21 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nichols, Iowa?
Nichols's population is 86.6% White, 0.0% Black, 12.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nichols, IA?
The median home value in Nichols is $134,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Nichols, Iowa?
10.0% of adults (25+) in Nichols hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.