Oskaloosa, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oskaloosa, Iowa had a total population of 11,504, the 34th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $64,004, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
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 2.4x.
Oskaloosa Quick Facts
How Oskaloosa 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 | 11,492 | 11,504 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $62,172 | $64,004 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $128,900 | $153,300 | +18.9% |
How Oskaloosa 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+)
Oskaloosa Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Mahaska County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Sharon | 1,180 | $48,750 | 14.4% | $133,600 |
| Fremont | 924 | $78,333 | 10.9% | $104,900 |
| University Park | 645 | $74,167 | 9.5% | $113,100 |
| Beacon | 425 | $55,625 | 20.5% | $77,900 |
| Rose Hill | 300 | $82,917 | 9.0% | $67,900 |
| Leighton | 150 | $66,389 | 2.0% | $126,600 |
| Keomah Village | 123 | $79,688 | 11.4% | $200,000 |
| Barnes City | 117 | $82,500 | 2.6% | $110,300 |
Cities Similar to Oskaloosa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Lake | 11,428 | $62,765 | $172,200 | 18.9% | 7.0% |
| Spencer | 11,400 | $59,667 | $184,800 | 29.8% | 14.0% |
| Boone | 12,424 | $69,222 | $173,000 | 24.0% | 8.3% |
| Le Mars | 10,640 | $74,701 | $219,200 | 21.1% | 9.2% |
| Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $188,700 | 27.1% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Oskaloosa is a small city located in Iowa, within Mahaska County. The total population is 11,504. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oskaloosa is 37.6 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oskaloosa is $64,004. This is 15% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 33% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $153,300. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Oskaloosa is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oskaloosa has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
25.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oskaloosa, 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 Oskaloosa, Iowa?
Oskaloosa, Iowa has a population of 11,504 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oskaloosa, IA?
The median household income in Oskaloosa is $64,004, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oskaloosa, IA?
The poverty rate in Oskaloosa is 16.6%. This means approximately 1,781 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oskaloosa, Iowa?
Oskaloosa's population is 89.5% White, 1.7% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oskaloosa, IA?
The median home value in Oskaloosa is $153,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Oskaloosa, Iowa?
25.4% of adults (25+) in Oskaloosa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.