Oelwein, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oelwein, Iowa had a total population of 5,834, the 69th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $46,653, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Oelwein Quick Facts
How Oelwein 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 | 5,878 | 5,834 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $49,821 | $46,653 | -6.4% |
| Median home value | $96,800 | $96,300 | -0.5% |
How Oelwein 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+)
Oelwein Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Fayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Union | 2,489 | $53,617 | 11.6% | $121,000 |
| Fayette | 1,309 | $47,917 | 25.7% | $119,000 |
| Elgin | 735 | $54,688 | 3.7% | $98,800 |
| Clermont | 627 | $85,625 | 4.0% | $117,200 |
| Hawkeye | 482 | $62,813 | 3.9% | $84,600 |
| Maynard | 471 | $55,583 | 8.9% | $132,100 |
| Arlington | 427 | $38,958 | 15.0% | $112,000 |
| Waucoma | 291 | $78,750 | 3.4% | $122,700 |
| Westgate | 178 | $53,750 | 35.1% | $78,300 |
| Wadena | 177 | $38,750 | 27.8% | $94,200 |
Cities Similar to Oelwein
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estherville | 5,839 | $54,124 | $101,400 | 13.4% | 12.6% |
| Centerville | 5,372 | $46,563 | $103,000 | 16.7% | 21.3% |
| Clarinda | 5,353 | $46,348 | $114,200 | 13.8% | 12.1% |
| Red Oak | 5,510 | $50,109 | $99,700 | 17.7% | 21.9% |
| Anamosa | 5,629 | $60,650 | $172,600 | 18.2% | 18.5% |
Population Overview
Oelwein is a small city located in Iowa, within Fayette County. The total population is 5,834. It ranks as the 69th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oelwein is 42.4 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.2% 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 Oelwein is $46,653. This is 38% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.5%. This is 67% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 7.6%. This is 113% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $96,300. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Oelwein is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oelwein has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.3%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
17.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oelwein, 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 Oelwein, Iowa?
Oelwein, Iowa has a population of 5,834 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oelwein, IA?
The median household income in Oelwein is $46,653, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oelwein, IA?
The poverty rate in Oelwein is 18.5%. This means approximately 1,053 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oelwein, Iowa?
Oelwein's population is 91.6% White, 0.1% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oelwein, IA?
The median home value in Oelwein is $96,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Oelwein, Iowa?
17.5% of adults (25+) in Oelwein hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.