Perry, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Perry, Iowa had a total population of 7,985, the 50th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $68,910, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Perry Quick Facts
How Perry 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 | 7,928 | 7,985 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $63,983 | $68,910 | +7.7% |
| Median home value | $122,100 | $121,400 | -0.6% |
How Perry 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+)
Perry Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Dallas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukee | 29,236 | $101,029 | 7.4% | $350,500 |
| Adel | 6,430 | $95,250 | 7.2% | $327,900 |
| Dallas Center | 2,161 | $95,854 | 8.8% | $246,800 |
| Van Meter | 1,628 | $135,139 | 2.6% | $264,000 |
| De Soto | 1,041 | $97,109 | 7.3% | $227,700 |
| Woodward | 977 | $65,658 | 7.0% | $179,900 |
| Redfield | 780 | $66,094 | 10.0% | $142,800 |
| Dexter | 620 | $87,250 | 5.8% | $163,500 |
| Minburn | 354 | $71,042 | 3.1% | $134,800 |
| Bouton | 168 | $76,875 | 18.4% | $113,900 |
Cities Similar to Perry
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denison | 8,260 | $65,684 | $150,200 | 17.5% | 17.5% |
| Webster City | 7,769 | $63,430 | $127,200 | 23.2% | 8.6% |
| Decorah | 7,535 | $64,366 | $244,500 | 42.2% | 8.1% |
| Clear Lake | 7,607 | $79,415 | $259,500 | 30.5% | 8.3% |
| Hiawatha | 7,206 | $66,270 | $216,900 | 32.4% | 13.7% |
Population Overview
Perry is a small city located in Iowa, within Dallas County. The total population is 7,985. It ranks as the 50th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Perry is 39.0 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Perry is $68,910. This is 8% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.9%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $121,400. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Perry is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Perry is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 34.7%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (34.7% vs 7.3%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 85.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Perry, 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 Perry, Iowa?
Perry, Iowa has a population of 7,985 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Perry, IA?
The median household income in Perry is $68,910, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Perry, IA?
The poverty rate in Perry is 8.9%. This means approximately 690 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Perry, Iowa?
Perry's population is 61.6% White, 0.7% Black, 34.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Perry, IA?
The median home value in Perry is $121,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Perry, Iowa?
17.0% of adults (25+) in Perry hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.