Parnell, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Parnell, Iowa had a total population of 303, the 602nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $70,893, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 4.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Parnell Quick Facts
How Parnell 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 | 229 | 303 | +32.3% |
| Median household income | $56,667 | $70,893 | +25.1% |
| Median home value | $118,800 | $181,300 | +52.6% |
How Parnell 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+)
Parnell Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Iowa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsburg | 3,360 | $58,059 | 5.8% | $204,300 |
| Marengo | 2,725 | $57,941 | 13.2% | $123,200 |
| North English | 852 | $54,531 | 10.3% | $118,600 |
| Amana | 755 | $145,903 | 8.1% | $248,400 |
| Middle Amana | 683 | $100,296 | 7.3% | $267,000 |
| Homestead | 252 | $74,886 | 0.0% | $179,900 |
| Ladora | 240 | $60,625 | 9.6% | $78,200 |
| Conroy | 199 | N/A | 4.0% | $213,000 |
| Millersburg | 129 | $79,688 | 7.0% | $106,500 |
| West Amana | 124 | $55,977 | 0.0% | $184,100 |
Cities Similar to Parnell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierson | 302 | $75,000 | $74,000 | 11.1% | 7.3% |
| Peterson | 298 | $73,333 | $93,500 | 30.6% | 4.4% |
| Protivin | 312 | $71,667 | $116,900 | 31.5% | 2.2% |
| Persia | 294 | $72,000 | $121,900 | 16.5% | 12.4% |
| Crawfordsville | 312 | $75,625 | $79,200 | 14.2% | 6.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 303, Parnell'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
Parnell is a small community located in Iowa, within Iowa County. The total population is 303. It ranks as the 602nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Parnell is 34.6 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.1% of the population under 18, Parnell has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Parnell is $70,893. This is 6% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $181,300. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Parnell is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Parnell is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.4% vs 7.3%).
Education
4.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 86% 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 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Parnell, 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 Parnell, Iowa?
Parnell, Iowa has a population of 303 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Parnell, IA?
The median household income in Parnell is $70,893, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Parnell, IA?
The poverty rate in Parnell is 13.2%. This means approximately 40 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Parnell, Iowa?
Parnell's population is 66.7% White, 0.0% Black, 30.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Parnell, IA?
The median home value in Parnell is $181,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Parnell, Iowa?
4.3% of adults (25+) in Parnell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.