Rockwell, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rockwell, Iowa had a total population of 986, the 288th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $60,982, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.9%.
Rockwell Quick Facts
How Rockwell 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 | 942 | 986 | +4.7% |
| Median household income | $58,850 | $60,982 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $142,600 | $163,300 | +14.5% |
How Rockwell 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+)
Rockwell 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 |
| 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 |
| Rock Falls | 119 | $71,042 | 5.9% | $156,300 |
| Dougherty | 88 | $45,500 | 8.0% | $50,000 |
Cities Similar to Rockwell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fredericksburg | 989 | $65,313 | $201,300 | 17.0% | 10.5% |
| Woodward | 977 | $65,658 | $179,900 | 25.1% | 7.0% |
| Mapleton | 989 | $55,208 | $113,000 | 21.3% | 8.4% |
| Newhall | 996 | $67,443 | $186,300 | 19.5% | 12.9% |
| Griswold | 975 | $55,000 | $98,900 | 23.0% | 13.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 986, Rockwell'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
Rockwell is a small community located in Iowa, within Cerro Gordo County. The total population is 986. It ranks as the 288th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rockwell is 42.7 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 14.7% 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 Rockwell is $60,982. This is 19% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.8%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 0.9%. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $163,300. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Rockwell is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rockwell has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.4%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 97.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rockwell, 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 Rockwell, Iowa?
Rockwell, Iowa has a population of 986 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rockwell, IA?
The median household income in Rockwell is $60,982, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rockwell, IA?
The poverty rate in Rockwell is 14.8%. This means approximately 142 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rockwell, Iowa?
Rockwell's population is 94.4% White, 1.2% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rockwell, IA?
The median home value in Rockwell is $163,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Rockwell, Iowa?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Rockwell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.