Rathbun, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rathbun, Iowa had a total population of 30, the 981st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $71,875, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 3.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Rathbun Quick Facts
How Rathbun 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 | 36 | 30 | -16.7% |
| Median household income | $72,500 | $71,875 | -0.9% |
| Median home value | $55,000 | $151,800 | +176.0% |
How Rathbun 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+)
Rathbun Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Appanoose County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerville | 5,372 | $46,563 | 21.3% | $103,000 |
| Moravia | 624 | $49,286 | 10.3% | $121,700 |
| Moulton | 498 | $66,250 | 15.9% | $81,800 |
| Cincinnati | 229 | $45,625 | 23.6% | $56,400 |
| Mystic | 216 | $41,000 | 17.1% | $57,500 |
| Unionville | 78 | $82,813 | 5.1% | $95,000 |
| Exline | 73 | $43,750 | 12.3% | $85,600 |
| Numa | 58 | $63,125 | 12.1% | N/A |
| Plano | 39 | $63,750 | 2.6% | $93,300 |
| Udell | 13 | $90,000 | 23.1% | $55,000 |
Cities Similar to Rathbun
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotter | 31 | N/A | $112,500 | 0.0% | 34.5% |
| Coppock | 29 | N/A | N/A | 16.7% | 17.2% |
| Portland | 29 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Argo | 28 | N/A | N/A | 35.7% | 0.0% |
| Clio | 32 | $69,375 | $90,000 | 34.4% | 9.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 30, Rathbun'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
Rathbun is a small community located in Iowa, within Appanoose County. The total population is 30. It ranks as the 981st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rathbun is 61.5 years. This is 59% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rathbun is $71,875. 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 6.7%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 86% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $151,800. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Rathbun is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rathbun has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.7% of all residents.
Education
3.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 89% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rathbun, 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 Rathbun, Iowa?
Rathbun, Iowa has a population of 30 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rathbun, IA?
The median household income in Rathbun is $71,875, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rathbun, IA?
The poverty rate in Rathbun is 6.7%. This means approximately 2 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rathbun, Iowa?
Rathbun's population is 96.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rathbun, IA?
The median home value in Rathbun is $151,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Rathbun, Iowa?
3.5% of adults (25+) in Rathbun hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.