Red Oak city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Red Oak city, Iowa has a total population of 5,542, the 71st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $52,996, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Red Oak city Quick Facts
How Red Oak city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Red Oak city Rankings in Iowa
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Cities Similar to Red Oak city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algona city | 5,414 | $52,542 | $156,200 | 23.7% | 7.6% |
| Anamosa city | 5,553 | $56,167 | $164,900 | 17.9% | 20.4% |
| Clarinda city | 5,366 | $50,644 | $112,200 | 13.7% | 11.6% |
| Estherville city | 5,865 | $54,624 | $96,300 | 13.2% | 12.8% |
| Oelwein city | 5,878 | $49,821 | $96,800 | 16.1% | 17.1% |
Population Overview
Red Oak city is a small city located in Iowa. The total population is 5,542. It ranks as the 71st most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Red Oak city is 39.7 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 11.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Red Oak city is $52,996. This is 28% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.5%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $91,600. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Red Oak city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Red Oak city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
15.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Red Oak 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Red Oak city, Iowa?
Red Oak city, Iowa has a population of 5,542 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Red Oak city, IA?
The median household income in Red Oak city is $52,996, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Red Oak city, IA?
The poverty rate in Red Oak city is 16.5%. This means approximately 890 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Red Oak city, Iowa?
Red Oak city's population is 89.6% White, 1.0% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Red Oak city, IA?
The median home value in Red Oak city is $91,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Red Oak city, Iowa?
15.3% of adults (25+) in Red Oak city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.