Ottumwa, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ottumwa, Iowa had a total population of 25,430, the 19th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $61,103, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.2%.
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 1.7x.
Ottumwa Quick Facts
How Ottumwa 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 | 25,352 | 25,430 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $56,994 | $61,103 | +7.2% |
| Median home value | $92,400 | $106,300 | +15.0% |
How Ottumwa 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ottumwa Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Wapello County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eddyville | 1,163 | $61,480 | 14.5% | $104,200 |
| Eldon | 726 | $47,917 | 20.9% | $60,600 |
| Agency | 435 | $67,813 | 8.1% | $157,300 |
| Blakesburg | 310 | $51,000 | 21.8% | $85,900 |
| Kirkville | 266 | $58,750 | 8.6% | $93,300 |
| Chillicothe | 83 | $75,750 | 6.0% | $85,000 |
Cities Similar to Ottumwa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | 24,827 | $60,649 | $144,100 | 21.7% | 15.9% |
| Clinton | 24,322 | $60,230 | $118,200 | 20.8% | 18.5% |
| Burlington | 23,728 | $59,000 | $114,300 | 22.5% | 13.2% |
| Mason City | 27,050 | $64,804 | $142,000 | 20.8% | 12.0% |
| Muscatine | 23,489 | $58,117 | $153,600 | 21.1% | 19.1% |
Population Overview
Ottumwa is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Wapello County. The total population is 25,430. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ottumwa is 36.7 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ottumwa is $61,103. This is 19% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.2%. This is 55% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $106,300. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Ottumwa is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ottumwa is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.1% vs 7.3%).
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 86.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa, Iowa?
Ottumwa, Iowa has a population of 25,430 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ottumwa, IA?
The median household income in Ottumwa is $61,103, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ottumwa, IA?
The poverty rate in Ottumwa is 17.2%. This means approximately 4,237 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ottumwa, Iowa?
Ottumwa's population is 69.0% White, 4.0% Black, 17.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ottumwa, IA?
The median home value in Ottumwa is $106,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Ottumwa, Iowa?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Ottumwa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.