Patterson, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Patterson, Iowa had a total population of 346, the 571st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $82,969, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 6.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
Patterson Quick Facts
How Patterson 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 | 293 | 346 | +18.1% |
| Median household income | $71,786 | $82,969 | +15.6% |
| Median home value | $106,600 | $111,100 | +4.2% |
How Patterson 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+)
Patterson Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
Cities Similar to Patterson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep River | 335 | $83,125 | $95,200 | 5.5% | 3.6% |
| Hornick | 340 | $85,938 | $113,300 | 7.7% | 6.0% |
| Sheldahl | 361 | $80,938 | $184,700 | 31.1% | 5.1% |
| Fort Atkinson | 346 | $73,750 | $132,100 | 14.9% | 4.6% |
| Templeton | 351 | $75,000 | $169,300 | 16.6% | 4.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 346, Patterson'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
Patterson is a small community located in Iowa, within Madison County. The total population is 346. It ranks as the 571st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Patterson is 36.3 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Patterson is $82,969. This is 11% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 3% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.9%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Patterson, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $111,100. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Patterson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 88.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Patterson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.2% of all residents.
Education
6.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 91.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Patterson, 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 Patterson, Iowa?
Patterson, Iowa has a population of 346 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Patterson, IA?
The median household income in Patterson is $82,969, which is 3% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Patterson, IA?
The poverty rate in Patterson is 6.9%. This means approximately 24 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Patterson, Iowa?
Patterson's population is 92.2% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Patterson, IA?
The median home value in Patterson is $111,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Patterson, Iowa?
6.9% of adults (25+) in Patterson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.