Prairie City, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Prairie City, Iowa had a total population of 1,711, the 192nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $78,295, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.5% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Prairie City Quick Facts
How Prairie City 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 | 1,649 | 1,711 | +3.8% |
| Median household income | $78,269 | $78,295 | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $177,400 | $190,600 | +7.4% |
How Prairie City 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+)
Prairie City Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Jasper County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | 15,700 | $57,771 | 11.1% | $153,700 |
| Colfax | 2,210 | $79,318 | 9.1% | $178,000 |
| Monroe | 2,120 | $80,375 | 8.1% | $177,200 |
| Baxter | 1,247 | $60,952 | 14.7% | $166,700 |
| Sully | 1,022 | $90,189 | 3.7% | $173,700 |
| Kellogg | 676 | $36,944 | 25.3% | $115,800 |
| Lynnville | 527 | $60,682 | 3.4% | $146,300 |
| Mingo | 328 | $71,000 | 3.0% | $144,300 |
| Oakland Acres | 191 | $103,000 | 5.2% | $256,300 |
| Lambs Grove | 181 | $93,750 | 0.0% | $200,000 |
Cities Similar to Prairie City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walcott | 1,725 | $78,580 | $190,300 | 19.6% | 6.6% |
| Lake City | 1,693 | $74,167 | $100,900 | 20.0% | 10.9% |
| Parkersburg | 1,766 | $75,885 | $196,700 | 31.2% | 4.9% |
| Shell Rock | 1,625 | $78,657 | $163,100 | 20.3% | 5.0% |
| Reinbeck | 1,715 | $86,797 | $165,000 | 24.4% | 4.4% |
Population Overview
Prairie City is a small community located in Iowa, within Jasper County. The total population is 1,711. It ranks as the 192nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Prairie City is 36.0 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 30.7% of the population under 18, Prairie City has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Prairie City is $78,295. This is 4% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.5%. This is 69% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 79% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $190,600. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Prairie City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Prairie City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
29.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% 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 96.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Prairie City, 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 Prairie City, Iowa?
Prairie City, Iowa has a population of 1,711 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Prairie City, IA?
The median household income in Prairie City is $78,295, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Prairie City, IA?
The poverty rate in Prairie City is 3.5%. This means approximately 59 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Prairie City, Iowa?
Prairie City's population is 96.4% White, 0.6% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Prairie City, IA?
The median home value in Prairie City is $190,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Prairie City, Iowa?
29.8% of adults (25+) in Prairie City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.