Oto, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oto, Iowa had a total population of 68, the 914th largest city in Iowa. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 24.3% is notably above the national average.
Oto Quick Facts
How Oto 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 | 66 | 68 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $50,600 | $56,700 | +12.1% |
How Oto 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+)
Oto Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Woodbury County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | 86,101 | $68,906 | 15.3% | $173,600 |
| Sergeant Bluff | 5,171 | $123,481 | 9.5% | $298,500 |
| Moville | 1,670 | $96,016 | 3.4% | $218,800 |
| Sloan | 1,018 | $68,125 | 14.0% | $205,900 |
| Lawton | 790 | $86,875 | 2.9% | $254,200 |
| Correctionville | 761 | $50,192 | 15.2% | $84,700 |
| Anthon | 514 | $51,250 | 11.9% | $101,400 |
| Salix | 402 | $62,500 | 1.8% | $161,400 |
| Hornick | 340 | $85,938 | 6.0% | $113,300 |
| Bronson | 312 | $86,458 | 4.8% | $168,800 |
Cities Similar to Oto
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibson | 68 | $53,500 | $105,400 | 8.5% | 8.8% |
| Masonville | 68 | $50,000 | $65,600 | 1.8% | 8.8% |
| Vining | 68 | $73,750 | $90,000 | 20.4% | 8.8% |
| Orchard | 69 | $59,167 | $66,700 | 15.4% | 7.2% |
| Stanley | 69 | $70,500 | N/A | 11.3% | 7.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 68, Oto'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
Oto is a small community located in Iowa, within Woodbury County. The total population is 68. It ranks as the 914th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oto is 50.7 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 10.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 59% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 24.3%. This is 579% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $56,700. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $208,000. 89.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oto has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.5% of all residents.
Education
31.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 91.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oto, 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 Oto, Iowa?
Oto, Iowa has a population of 68 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oto, IA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Oto — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oto, IA?
The poverty rate in Oto is 17.6%. This means approximately 12 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oto, Iowa?
Oto's population is 98.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oto, IA?
The median home value in Oto is $56,700.
How educated is Oto, Iowa?
31.3% of adults (25+) in Oto hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.