Olin, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Olin, Iowa had a total population of 830, the 338th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $51,932, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 21.4% is notably above the national average.
Olin Quick Facts
How Olin 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 | 849 | 830 | -2.2% |
| Median household income | $67,120 | $51,932 | -22.6% |
| Median home value | $98,500 | $108,500 | +10.2% |
How Olin 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+)
Olin Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Jones County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anamosa | 5,629 | $60,650 | 18.5% | $172,600 |
| Monticello | 4,071 | $70,015 | 5.9% | $175,200 |
| Wyoming | 525 | $73,000 | 12.8% | $105,700 |
| Oxford Junction | 461 | $37,969 | 15.0% | $72,500 |
| Martelle | 457 | $93,333 | 13.1% | $134,400 |
| Onslow | 284 | $65,313 | 29.2% | $100,000 |
| Stone City | 154 | $179,167 | 0.0% | $535,700 |
| Center Junction | 126 | $26,528 | 0.0% | $58,900 |
| Morley | 46 | $37,188 | 30.4% | $83,800 |
Cities Similar to Olin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adair | 830 | $54,550 | $127,800 | 20.8% | 4.3% |
| Afton | 817 | $54,545 | $95,300 | 21.0% | 13.9% |
| North English | 852 | $54,531 | $118,600 | 18.5% | 10.3% |
| Morning Sun | 802 | $56,350 | $102,200 | 11.6% | 11.3% |
| Cambridge | 803 | $57,333 | $178,100 | 15.7% | 11.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 830, Olin'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
Olin is a small community located in Iowa, within Jones County. The total population is 830. It ranks as the 338th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Olin is 32.6 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Olin is $51,932. This is 31% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.0%. This is 80% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 21.4%. This is 498% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $108,500. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Olin is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Olin is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (9.2% vs 3.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
7.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Olin, 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 Olin, Iowa?
Olin, Iowa has a population of 830 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Olin, IA?
The median household income in Olin is $51,932, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Olin, IA?
The poverty rate in Olin is 20.0%. This means approximately 165 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Olin, Iowa?
Olin's population is 76.5% White, 9.2% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Olin, IA?
The median home value in Olin is $108,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Olin, Iowa?
7.4% of adults (25+) in Olin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.