Oskaloosa city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Oskaloosa city is a small city located in Iowa, within Mahaska County. The total population is 11,492. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Oskaloosa city is 37.9 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Oskaloosa city is $62,172. This is 15% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.1%. This is 46% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $128,900. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Oskaloosa city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Oskaloosa city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.

Education

26.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Oskaloosa city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.