Nora Springs, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nora Springs, Iowa had a total population of 1,363, the 232nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $78,594, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.3%.
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 1.7x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Nora Springs Quick Facts
How Nora Springs 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 | 1,394 | 1,363 | -2.2% |
| Median household income | $72,083 | $78,594 | +9.0% |
| Median home value | $126,300 | $134,500 | +6.5% |
How Nora Springs 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+)
Nora Springs 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 |
| 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 |
| Meservey | 262 | $46,750 | 31.7% | $50,800 |
| 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 Nora Springs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central City | 1,356 | $85,400 | $179,700 | 18.6% | 3.9% |
| Oakland | 1,408 | $81,354 | $160,200 | 21.6% | 14.2% |
| Logan | 1,392 | $84,833 | $154,000 | 28.5% | 4.6% |
| Malvern | 1,323 | $84,223 | $174,700 | 25.5% | 6.6% |
| State Center | 1,412 | $83,942 | $167,400 | 33.5% | 4.9% |
Population Overview
Nora Springs is a small community located in Iowa, within Cerro Gordo County. The total population is 1,363. It ranks as the 232nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nora Springs is 44.3 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Nora Springs is $78,594. This is 5% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $134,500. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Nora Springs is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Nora Springs has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 96.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nora Springs, 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.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Nora Springs, Iowa?
Nora Springs, Iowa has a population of 1,363 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nora Springs, IA?
The median household income in Nora Springs is $78,594, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nora Springs, IA?
The poverty rate in Nora Springs is 5.3%. This means approximately 70 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nora Springs, Iowa?
Nora Springs's population is 91.1% White, 4.0% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nora Springs, IA?
The median home value in Nora Springs is $134,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Nora Springs, Iowa?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Nora Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.