Osceola, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Osceola, Iowa had a total population of 5,523, the 73rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $68,284, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.4%.
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.
Osceola Quick Facts
How Osceola 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 | 5,495 | 5,523 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $62,363 | $68,284 | +9.5% |
| Median home value | $145,300 | $146,300 | +0.7% |
How Osceola 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Osceola Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Clarke County
Cities Similar to Osceola
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Lake | 5,518 | $65,720 | $215,100 | 26.8% | 6.3% |
| Winterset | 5,416 | $67,708 | $192,500 | 22.0% | 10.3% |
| Sheldon | 5,474 | $62,159 | $192,700 | 20.8% | 15.3% |
| Anamosa | 5,629 | $60,650 | $172,600 | 18.2% | 18.5% |
| Glenwood | 5,144 | $71,790 | $206,200 | 26.8% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Osceola is a small city located in Iowa, within Clarke County. The total population is 5,523. It ranks as the 73rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Osceola is 37.6 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Osceola is $68,284. This is 9% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 67% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $146,300. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Osceola is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Osceola is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.3%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (26.3% vs 7.3%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
14.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 84.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Osceola, 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 Osceola, Iowa?
Osceola, Iowa has a population of 5,523 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Osceola, IA?
The median household income in Osceola is $68,284, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Osceola, IA?
The poverty rate in Osceola is 6.4%. This means approximately 343 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Osceola, Iowa?
Osceola's population is 66.5% White, 0.1% Black, 26.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Osceola, IA?
The median home value in Osceola is $146,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Osceola, Iowa?
14.0% of adults (25+) in Osceola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.