Packwood, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Packwood, Iowa had a total population of 539, the 457th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $51,500, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.7% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
- Unemployment rate of 19.4% is notably above the national average.
Packwood Quick Facts
How Packwood 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 | 484 | 539 | +11.4% |
| Median household income | $43,750 | $51,500 | +17.7% |
| Median home value | $79,100 | $80,000 | +1.1% |
How Packwood 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+)
Packwood Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield | 9,456 | $51,311 | 20.7% | $156,000 |
| Batavia | 536 | $56,250 | 9.7% | $111,600 |
| Lockridge | 452 | $113,750 | 1.8% | N/A |
| Libertyville | 324 | $76,131 | 3.1% | $162,500 |
| Maharishi Vedic City | 282 | $66,875 | 10.0% | $325,000 |
| Pleasant Plain | 92 | $86,458 | 6.5% | $77,800 |
Cities Similar to Packwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colesburg | 545 | $51,719 | $117,100 | 13.4% | 4.4% |
| Farmington | 540 | $53,333 | $81,400 | 10.4% | 16.3% |
| Pomeroy | 542 | $53,542 | $70,200 | 19.4% | 13.1% |
| Scranton | 542 | $53,864 | $86,300 | 6.3% | 22.5% |
| Batavia | 536 | $56,250 | $111,600 | 17.0% | 9.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 539, Packwood'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
Packwood is a small community located in Iowa, within Jefferson County. The total population is 539. It ranks as the 457th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Packwood is 36.3 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 36.9% of the population under 18, Packwood has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Packwood is $51,500. This is 31% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.7%. This is 93% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 19.4%. This is 442% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $80,000. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Packwood is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Packwood has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.9% of all residents.
Education
19.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 82.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Packwood, 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 Packwood, Iowa?
Packwood, Iowa has a population of 539 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Packwood, IA?
The median household income in Packwood is $51,500, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Packwood, IA?
The poverty rate in Packwood is 0.7%. This means approximately 4 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Packwood, Iowa?
Packwood's population is 98.9% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Packwood, IA?
The median home value in Packwood is $80,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Packwood, Iowa?
19.2% of adults (25+) in Packwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.