Ottumwa city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Ottumwa city, Iowa has a total population of 25,352, the 19th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $56,994, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Ottumwa city Quick Facts
How Ottumwa city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ottumwa city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Cities Similar to Ottumwa city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton city | 24,425 | $57,493 | $115,400 | 21.6% | 18.2% |
| Fort Dodge city | 24,788 | $61,769 | $128,900 | 20.1% | 14.4% |
| Burlington city | 23,800 | $55,274 | $115,800 | 23.0% | 15.9% |
| Muscatine city | 23,567 | $59,332 | $146,900 | 21.2% | 16.5% |
| Mason City city | 27,135 | $62,369 | $130,000 | 21.3% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
Ottumwa city is a mid-sized community located in Iowa. The total population is 25,352. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ottumwa city is 37.4 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ottumwa city is $56,994. This is 22% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 27% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.9%. This is 72% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $92,400. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Ottumwa city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ottumwa city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.4% vs 7.0%).
Education
20.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 85.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ottumwa 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ottumwa city, Iowa?
Ottumwa city, Iowa has a population of 25,352 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ottumwa city, IA?
The median household income in Ottumwa city is $56,994, which is 27% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Ottumwa city, IA?
The poverty rate in Ottumwa city is 18.9%. This means approximately 4,641 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ottumwa city, Iowa?
Ottumwa city's population is 71.0% White, 4.3% Black, 16.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ottumwa city, IA?
The median home value in Ottumwa city is $92,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Ottumwa city, Iowa?
20.1% of adults (25+) in Ottumwa city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.