Palo, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palo, Iowa had a total population of 1,438, the 223rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $106,375, which is 42% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Palo Quick Facts
How Palo 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 | 1,173 | 1,438 | +22.6% |
| Median household income | $103,646 | $106,375 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $274,200 | $282,400 | +3.0% |
How Palo 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+)
Palo Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Linn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 137,264 | $70,424 | 10.8% | $187,100 |
| Marion | 41,896 | $86,743 | 8.2% | $241,700 |
| Hiawatha | 7,206 | $66,270 | 13.7% | $216,900 |
| Mount Vernon | 4,513 | $112,656 | 8.2% | $245,200 |
| Robins | 3,332 | $122,262 | 8.9% | $413,400 |
| Fairfax | 2,900 | $114,375 | 6.2% | $274,500 |
| Center Point | 2,562 | $95,192 | 5.1% | $212,400 |
| Ely | 2,186 | $105,882 | 2.4% | $311,900 |
| Lisbon | 1,714 | $93,906 | 4.4% | $219,700 |
| Central City | 1,356 | $85,400 | 3.9% | $179,700 |
Cities Similar to Palo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alton | 1,459 | $98,036 | $218,900 | 24.3% | 2.6% |
| University Heights | 1,384 | $111,406 | $429,900 | 87.1% | 14.4% |
| Slater | 1,401 | $97,500 | $232,800 | 36.5% | 3.8% |
| Earlham | 1,528 | $115,086 | $267,600 | 32.1% | 4.7% |
| Gilbert | 1,381 | $122,656 | $274,600 | 44.3% | 3.4% |
Population Overview
Palo is a small community located in Iowa, within Linn County. The total population is 1,438. It ranks as the 223rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palo is 32.7 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 35.3% of the population under 18, Palo has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palo is $106,375. This is 42% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 32% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 50% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $282,400. Housing costs are 36% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Palo is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 97.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Palo has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 98.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palo, 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 Palo, Iowa?
Palo, Iowa has a population of 1,438 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palo, IA?
The median household income in Palo is $106,375, which is 32% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palo, IA?
The poverty rate in Palo is 5.5%. This means approximately 79 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palo, Iowa?
Palo's population is 94.0% White, 1.1% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palo, IA?
The median home value in Palo is $282,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Palo, Iowa?
27.2% of adults (25+) in Palo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.