Preston, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Preston, Iowa had a total population of 1,044, the 275th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $74,063, which is 1% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.4%.
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 2.2x.
Preston Quick Facts
How Preston 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 | 1,057 | 1,044 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $82,950 | $74,063 | -10.7% |
| Median home value | $144,600 | $163,900 | +13.3% |
How Preston 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+)
Preston Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | 2,259 | $79,417 | 9.8% | $216,500 |
| Sabula | 547 | $77,656 | 9.4% | $133,300 |
| Andrew | 423 | $66,343 | 15.6% | $121,300 |
| Miles | 398 | $72,708 | 15.1% | $130,700 |
| La Motte | 267 | $84,167 | 11.2% | $144,000 |
| Baldwin | 153 | $58,875 | 7.8% | $57,500 |
| St. Donatus | 135 | $44,141 | 16.3% | $203,300 |
| Springbrook | 125 | $53,750 | 28.0% | $151,000 |
| Monmouth | 121 | $51,875 | 18.2% | $66,700 |
| Spragueville | 90 | $77,500 | 12.2% | $109,400 |
Cities Similar to Preston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winthrop | 1,040 | $69,792 | $158,200 | 22.7% | 3.8% |
| Victor | 987 | $74,000 | $116,600 | 21.2% | 22.3% |
| Primghar | 1,014 | $78,750 | $147,500 | 20.9% | 6.3% |
| Aplington | 1,111 | $74,773 | $147,500 | 26.5% | 4.6% |
| Sloan | 1,018 | $68,125 | $205,900 | 27.8% | 14.0% |
Population Overview
Preston is a small community located in Iowa, within Jackson County. The total population is 1,044. It ranks as the 275th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Preston is 46.1 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 13.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Preston is $74,063. This is 1% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.4%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $163,900. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Preston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Preston has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 96.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Preston, 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 Preston, Iowa?
Preston, Iowa has a population of 1,044 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Preston, IA?
The median household income in Preston is $74,063, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Preston, IA?
The poverty rate in Preston is 13.4%. This means approximately 140 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Preston, Iowa?
Preston's population is 94.3% White, 4.5% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Preston, IA?
The median home value in Preston is $163,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Preston, Iowa?
27.2% of adults (25+) in Preston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.