Riceville, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Riceville, Iowa had a total population of 823, the 340th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $44,615, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Riceville Quick Facts
How Riceville 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 | 795 | 823 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $47,434 | $44,615 | -5.9% |
| Median home value | $92,100 | $112,100 | +21.7% |
How Riceville 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+)
Riceville Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Mitchell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osage | 3,561 | $68,730 | 6.9% | $160,700 |
| St. Ansgar | 1,206 | $76,458 | 5.4% | $152,500 |
| Stacyville | 545 | $61,932 | 12.1% | $112,900 |
| Mitchell | 117 | $72,500 | 7.7% | $116,100 |
| McIntire | 89 | N/A | 23.6% | $55,000 |
| Carpenter | 81 | $74,107 | 8.6% | $63,900 |
| Orchard | 69 | $59,167 | 7.2% | $66,700 |
| Toeterville | 56 | N/A | 71.4% | N/A |
| Little Cedar | 40 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Otranto | 34 | N/A | 26.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Riceville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olin | 830 | $51,932 | $108,500 | 7.4% | 20.0% |
| Afton | 817 | $54,545 | $95,300 | 21.0% | 13.9% |
| Adair | 830 | $54,550 | $127,800 | 20.8% | 4.3% |
| North English | 852 | $54,531 | $118,600 | 18.5% | 10.3% |
| Correctionville | 761 | $50,192 | $84,700 | 14.0% | 15.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 823, Riceville'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
Riceville is a small community located in Iowa, within Mitchell County. The total population is 823. It ranks as the 340th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Riceville is 36.3 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. 14.1% 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 Riceville is $44,615. This is 41% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 2% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $112,100. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Riceville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Riceville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.7%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
17.6% 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 91.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Riceville, 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 Riceville, Iowa?
Riceville, Iowa has a population of 823 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Riceville, IA?
The median household income in Riceville is $44,615, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Riceville, IA?
The poverty rate in Riceville is 10.9%. This means approximately 87 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Riceville, Iowa?
Riceville's population is 91.0% White, 0.0% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Riceville, IA?
The median home value in Riceville is $112,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Riceville, Iowa?
17.6% of adults (25+) in Riceville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.