Northwood, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Northwood, Iowa had a total population of 2,040, the 165th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $63,450, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
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 2.1x.
Northwood Quick Facts
How Northwood 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 | 2,170 | 2,040 | -6.0% |
| Median household income | $64,615 | $63,450 | -1.8% |
| Median home value | $124,800 | $130,300 | +4.4% |
How Northwood 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+)
Northwood Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Worth County
Cities Similar to Northwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mills | 2,088 | $61,875 | $122,600 | 18.0% | 15.3% |
| Columbus Junction | 2,110 | $63,828 | $125,800 | 17.9% | 10.3% |
| Ida Grove | 1,967 | $61,250 | $94,900 | 19.0% | 8.3% |
| La Porte City | 2,071 | $70,500 | $163,200 | 24.1% | 10.8% |
| Sumner | 2,106 | $58,854 | $118,000 | 28.2% | 13.6% |
Population Overview
Northwood is a small community located in Iowa, within Worth County. The total population is 2,040. It ranks as the 165th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Northwood is 47.9 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Northwood is $63,450. This is 15% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 21% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 121% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $130,300. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Northwood is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Northwood has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.7%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
15.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 94.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Northwood, 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 Northwood, Iowa?
Northwood, Iowa has a population of 2,040 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Northwood, IA?
The median household income in Northwood is $63,450, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Northwood, IA?
The poverty rate in Northwood is 8.8%. This means approximately 174 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Northwood, Iowa?
Northwood's population is 93.1% White, 0.4% Black, 3.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Northwood, IA?
The median home value in Northwood is $130,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Northwood, Iowa?
15.9% of adults (25+) in Northwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.