Norwalk, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Norwalk, Iowa had a total population of 14,183, the 32nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $102,722, which is 37% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.2% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- 38.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
Norwalk Quick Facts
How Norwalk 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 | 13,610 | 14,183 | +4.2% |
| Median household income | $94,583 | $102,722 | +8.6% |
| Median home value | $275,700 | $303,100 | +9.9% |
How Norwalk 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+)
Norwalk Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | 14.9% | $194,700 |
| Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | 4.2% | $331,000 |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | 8.4% | $309,000 |
| Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | 6.8% | $335,500 |
| Johnston | 24,384 | $106,551 | 10.2% | $369,100 |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | 8.3% | $274,600 |
| Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | 7.3% | $401,100 |
| Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | 4.4% | $304,700 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | 8.9% | $295,100 |
| Bondurant | 8,560 | $135,674 | 6.2% | $318,800 |
Cities Similar to Norwalk
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | $304,700 | 51.5% | 4.4% |
| Indianola | 16,044 | $75,453 | $237,500 | 34.9% | 6.4% |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | $295,100 | 35.5% | 8.9% |
| Boone | 12,424 | $69,222 | $173,000 | 24.0% | 8.3% |
| Pella | 10,720 | $84,111 | $292,700 | 47.3% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Norwalk is a small city located in Iowa, within Polk County. The total population is 14,183. It ranks as the 32nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Norwalk is 37.8 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Norwalk is $102,722. This is 37% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 27% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.2%. This is 62% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $303,100. Housing costs are 46% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 82.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Norwalk has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
38.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Norwalk in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 24% higher 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 97.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, Iowa?
Norwalk, Iowa has a population of 14,183 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Norwalk, IA?
The median household income in Norwalk is $102,722, which is 27% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Norwalk, IA?
The poverty rate in Norwalk is 4.2%. This means approximately 584 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Norwalk, Iowa?
Norwalk's population is 92.6% White, 0.1% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Norwalk, IA?
The median home value in Norwalk is $303,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Norwalk, Iowa?
38.8% of adults (25+) in Norwalk hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.