Rolfe, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rolfe, Iowa had a total population of 626, the 414th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $51,250, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 20.8% is notably above the national average.
Rolfe Quick Facts
How Rolfe 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 | 618 | 626 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $54,861 | $51,250 | -6.6% |
| Median home value | $46,000 | $48,500 | +5.4% |
How Rolfe 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+)
Rolfe Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Pocahontas County
Cities Similar to Rolfe
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moravia | 624 | $49,286 | $121,700 | 15.6% | 10.3% |
| Goldfield | 613 | $53,092 | $108,000 | 25.4% | 13.7% |
| Sutherland | 629 | $55,469 | $101,200 | 15.4% | 13.9% |
| Brighton | 588 | $50,481 | $92,900 | 8.1% | 29.7% |
| Bancroft | 626 | $60,000 | $120,700 | 13.3% | 10.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 626, Rolfe'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
Rolfe is a small community located in Iowa, within Pocahontas County. The total population is 626. It ranks as the 414th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rolfe is 38.6 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rolfe is $51,250. This is 32% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.5%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 20.8%. This is 482% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $48,500. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x, Rolfe is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rolfe has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.4%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
8.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% 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 81.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rolfe, 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 Rolfe, Iowa?
Rolfe, Iowa has a population of 626 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rolfe, IA?
The median household income in Rolfe is $51,250, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rolfe, IA?
The poverty rate in Rolfe is 13.5%. This means approximately 81 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rolfe, Iowa?
Rolfe's population is 93.3% White, 0.8% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rolfe, IA?
The median home value in Rolfe is $48,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.9x.
How educated is Rolfe, Iowa?
8.7% of adults (25+) in Rolfe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.