Otho, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Otho, Iowa had a total population of 380, the 547th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $43,482, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.5% 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.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Otho Quick Facts
How Otho 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 | 397 | 380 | -4.3% |
| Median household income | $42,083 | $43,482 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $85,600 | $89,900 | +5.0% |
How Otho 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+)
Otho Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Webster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | 24,827 | $60,649 | 15.9% | $144,100 |
| Gowrie | 932 | $80,417 | 9.4% | $109,900 |
| Stratford | 735 | $47,875 | 9.0% | $89,300 |
| Dayton | 689 | $57,500 | 9.8% | $114,800 |
| Coalville | 649 | $78,000 | 14.0% | $197,500 |
| Badger | 433 | $72,750 | 5.1% | $142,800 |
| Callender | 413 | $75,000 | 5.0% | $107,100 |
| Farnhamville | 386 | $57,188 | 16.2% | $72,300 |
| Duncombe | 376 | $52,500 | 8.6% | $117,100 |
| Lehigh | 340 | $54,500 | 15.3% | $75,000 |
Cities Similar to Otho
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allerton | 395 | $46,989 | $67,900 | 14.3% | 12.9% |
| Ringsted | 380 | $51,042 | $47,000 | 16.2% | 18.4% |
| Bussey | 414 | $43,125 | $79,000 | 14.5% | 15.0% |
| Clearfield | 396 | $48,250 | $72,800 | 9.4% | 20.8% |
| Chelsea | 404 | $40,313 | $43,500 | 6.6% | 25.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 380, Otho'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
Otho is a small community located in Iowa, within Webster County. The total population is 380. It ranks as the 547th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Otho is 55.1 years. This is 43% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 12.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.3% 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 Otho is $43,482. This is 42% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.5%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $89,900. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Otho is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Otho has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.8%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
8.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 87.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Otho, 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 Otho, Iowa?
Otho, Iowa has a population of 380 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Otho, IA?
The median household income in Otho is $43,482, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Otho, IA?
The poverty rate in Otho is 15.5%. This means approximately 59 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Otho, Iowa?
Otho's population is 87.1% White, 1.3% Black, 6.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Otho, IA?
The median home value in Otho is $89,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Otho, Iowa?
8.5% of adults (25+) in Otho hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.