Rock Falls, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rock Falls, Iowa had a total population of 119, the 828th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $71,042, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
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.
Rock Falls Quick Facts
How Rock Falls 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 | 125 | 119 | -4.8% |
| Median household income | $66,875 | $71,042 | +6.2% |
| Median home value | $156,300 | $156,300 | +0.0% |
How Rock Falls 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+)
Rock Falls Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Cerro Gordo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason City | 27,050 | $64,804 | 12.0% | $142,000 |
| Clear Lake | 7,607 | $79,415 | 8.3% | $259,500 |
| Nora Springs | 1,363 | $78,594 | 5.3% | $134,500 |
| Rockwell | 986 | $60,982 | 14.8% | $163,300 |
| Ventura | 733 | $91,944 | 5.7% | $389,500 |
| Thornton | 514 | $67,031 | 9.3% | $115,500 |
| Plymouth | 407 | $80,000 | 13.0% | $125,700 |
| Meservey | 262 | $46,750 | 31.7% | $50,800 |
| Swaledale | 148 | $51,912 | 4.7% | $62,900 |
| Dougherty | 88 | $45,500 | 8.0% | $50,000 |
Cities Similar to Rock Falls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swedesburg | 119 | $74,861 | N/A | 41.8% | 24.4% |
| Mitchell | 117 | $72,500 | $116,100 | 4.4% | 7.7% |
| Andover | 124 | N/A | $118,800 | 11.7% | 35.5% |
| Westfield | 123 | $68,125 | $117,500 | 6.4% | 8.1% |
| Shambaugh | 113 | $70,250 | $66,100 | 18.3% | 7.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 119, Rock Falls'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
Rock Falls is a small community located in Iowa, within Cerro Gordo County. The total population is 119. It ranks as the 828th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rock Falls is 44.5 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.6% 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 Rock Falls is $71,042. This is 5% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 47% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $156,300. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Rock Falls is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 95.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Rock Falls was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
25.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 94.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rock Falls, 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.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rock Falls, Iowa?
Rock Falls, Iowa has a population of 119 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rock Falls, IA?
The median household income in Rock Falls is $71,042, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rock Falls, IA?
The poverty rate in Rock Falls is 5.9%. This means approximately 7 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rock Falls, Iowa?
Rock Falls's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rock Falls, IA?
The median home value in Rock Falls is $156,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Rock Falls, Iowa?
25.6% of adults (25+) in Rock Falls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.