Red Oak, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Red Oak, Iowa had a total population of 5,510, the 75th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $50,109, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Red Oak Quick Facts
How Red Oak 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 | 5,542 | 5,510 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $52,996 | $50,109 | -5.4% |
| Median home value | $91,600 | $99,700 | +8.8% |
How Red Oak 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+)
Red Oak Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Montgomery County
Cities Similar to Red Oak
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerville | 5,372 | $46,563 | $103,000 | 16.7% | 21.3% |
| Clarinda | 5,353 | $46,348 | $114,200 | 13.8% | 12.1% |
| Algona | 5,377 | $56,040 | $160,800 | 25.5% | 6.9% |
| Iowa Falls | 5,038 | $50,417 | $123,800 | 22.9% | 10.7% |
| Oelwein | 5,834 | $46,653 | $96,300 | 17.5% | 18.5% |
Population Overview
Red Oak is a small city located in Iowa, within Montgomery County. The total population is 5,510. It ranks as the 75th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Red Oak is 40.2 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.1% 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 is $50,109. This is 33% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.9%. This is 98% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $99,700. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Red Oak is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Red Oak has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
17.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Red Oak, 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 Red Oak, Iowa?
Red Oak, Iowa has a population of 5,510 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Red Oak, IA?
The median household income in Red Oak is $50,109, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Red Oak, IA?
The poverty rate in Red Oak is 21.9%. This means approximately 1,157 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Red Oak, Iowa?
Red Oak's population is 88.7% White, 3.0% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Red Oak, IA?
The median home value in Red Oak is $99,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Red Oak, Iowa?
17.7% of adults (25+) in Red Oak hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.