Persia, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Persia, Iowa had a total population of 294, the 610th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $72,000, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.4%.
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 1.7x.
Persia Quick Facts
How Persia 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 | 327 | 294 | -10.1% |
| Median household income | $75,000 | $72,000 | -4.0% |
| Median home value | $111,300 | $121,900 | +9.5% |
How Persia 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+)
Persia Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Harrison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Valley | 2,666 | $71,818 | 9.7% | $148,500 |
| Woodbine | 1,471 | $50,804 | 12.6% | $168,900 |
| Logan | 1,392 | $84,833 | 4.6% | $154,000 |
| Mondamin | 403 | $75,000 | 12.9% | $102,700 |
| Pisgah | 255 | $66,250 | 6.3% | $68,000 |
| Modale | 181 | $49,375 | 11.1% | $83,000 |
| Magnolia | 180 | $78,393 | 1.1% | $107,100 |
| California Junction | 169 | $172,650 | 0.0% | $123,500 |
| Little Sioux | 129 | N/A | 25.6% | $39,400 |
| River Sioux | 7 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Persia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peterson | 298 | $73,333 | $93,500 | 30.6% | 4.4% |
| Parnell | 303 | $70,893 | $181,300 | 4.3% | 13.2% |
| Pierson | 302 | $75,000 | $74,000 | 11.1% | 7.3% |
| Waucoma | 291 | $78,750 | $122,700 | 8.0% | 3.4% |
| Protivin | 312 | $71,667 | $116,900 | 31.5% | 2.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 294, Persia'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
Persia is a small community located in Iowa, within Harrison County. The total population is 294. It ranks as the 610th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Persia is 43.0 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. With 29.6% of the population under 18, Persia has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Persia is $72,000. This is 4% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%. This is 12% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $121,900. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Persia is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Persia has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
16.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Persia, 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 Persia, Iowa?
Persia, Iowa has a population of 294 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Persia, IA?
The median household income in Persia is $72,000, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Persia, IA?
The poverty rate in Persia is 12.4%. This means approximately 36 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Persia, Iowa?
Persia's population is 94.9% White, 0.0% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Persia, IA?
The median home value in Persia is $121,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Persia, Iowa?
16.5% of adults (25+) in Persia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.