Rock Rapids, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rock Rapids, Iowa had a total population of 2,661, the 137th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $63,942, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Rock Rapids Quick Facts
How Rock Rapids 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 | 2,653 | 2,661 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $61,679 | $63,942 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $207,700 | $206,700 | -0.5% |
How Rock Rapids 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 Rapids Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Lyon County
Cities Similar to Rock Rapids
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarion | 2,770 | $64,625 | $116,200 | 26.5% | 10.5% |
| Bloomfield | 2,742 | $60,769 | $132,000 | 23.8% | 6.9% |
| Missouri Valley | 2,666 | $71,818 | $148,500 | 18.2% | 9.7% |
| Marengo | 2,725 | $57,941 | $123,200 | 12.9% | 13.2% |
| Belmond | 2,694 | $56,528 | $129,100 | 29.9% | 19.8% |
Population Overview
Rock Rapids is a small community located in Iowa, within Lyon County. The total population is 2,661. It ranks as the 137th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rock Rapids is 41.0 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 11.2% 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 Rapids is $63,942. This is 15% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $206,700. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 71.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Rock Rapids has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.4%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 94.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rock Rapids, 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 Rock Rapids, Iowa?
Rock Rapids, Iowa has a population of 2,661 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rock Rapids, IA?
The median household income in Rock Rapids is $63,942, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rock Rapids, IA?
The poverty rate in Rock Rapids is 6.5%. This means approximately 167 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rock Rapids, Iowa?
Rock Rapids's population is 87.7% White, 0.4% Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rock Rapids, IA?
The median home value in Rock Rapids is $206,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Rock Rapids, Iowa?
21.7% of adults (25+) in Rock Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.