Prairie City city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Prairie City city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 1,649. It ranks as the 195th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Prairie City city is 37.0 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 32.1% of the population under 18, Prairie City city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Prairie City city is $78,269. This is 7% higher than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is about average. The poverty rate stands at 1.4%. This is 87% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $177,400. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Prairie City city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Prairie City city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.7%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

29.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Prairie City city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.