Pella, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pella, Iowa had a total population of 10,720, the 38th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $84,111, which is 12% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 47.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Pella Quick Facts
How Pella 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 | 10,624 | 10,720 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $81,201 | $84,111 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $259,600 | $292,700 | +12.8% |
How Pella 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+)
Pella Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Marion County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | 7,473 | $61,599 | 12.5% | $160,300 |
| Pleasantville | 1,899 | $67,614 | 4.1% | $168,300 |
| Melcher-Dallas | 1,176 | $58,611 | 13.6% | $99,800 |
| Bussey | 414 | $43,125 | 15.0% | $79,000 |
| Harvey | 174 | $52,250 | 9.2% | $77,500 |
| Hamilton | 107 | $63,750 | 19.6% | $70,000 |
| Marysville | 70 | N/A | 4.3% | $205,000 |
| Swan | 55 | N/A | 10.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Pella
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly | 10,494 | $80,284 | $223,300 | 44.1% | 10.9% |
| Le Mars | 10,640 | $74,701 | $219,200 | 21.1% | 9.2% |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | $295,100 | 35.5% | 8.9% |
| Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $188,700 | 27.1% | 8.9% |
| Oskaloosa | 11,504 | $64,004 | $153,300 | 25.4% | 16.6% |
Population Overview
Pella is a small city located in Iowa, within Marion County. The total population is 10,720. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pella is 35.2 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pella is $84,111. This is 12% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 4% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 46% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $292,700. Housing costs are 41% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 62.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Pella has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.2%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
47.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Pella in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 51% higher 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 96.8%. Notably, 15.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pella, 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 Pella, Iowa?
Pella, Iowa has a population of 10,720 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pella, IA?
The median household income in Pella is $84,111, which is 4% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pella, IA?
The poverty rate in Pella is 5.9%. This means approximately 558 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pella, Iowa?
Pella's population is 93.7% White, 0.4% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pella, IA?
The median home value in Pella is $292,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Pella, Iowa?
47.3% of adults (25+) in Pella hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.