Rome, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rome, Iowa had a total population of 79, the 889th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $39,000, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 6.7% 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 1.7x.
Rome Quick Facts
How Rome 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 | 77 | 79 | +2.6% |
| Median household income | $29,531 | $39,000 | +32.1% |
| Median home value | $61,300 | $65,000 | +6.0% |
How Rome 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+)
Rome Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Henry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | 8,951 | $61,042 | 15.7% | $160,900 |
| New London | 2,338 | $77,560 | 8.4% | $139,600 |
| Wayland | 1,191 | $70,774 | 9.0% | $135,500 |
| Winfield | 1,007 | $49,063 | 9.8% | $100,000 |
| Salem | 349 | $51,250 | 18.1% | $85,700 |
| Westwood | 130 | $110,833 | 0.0% | $290,000 |
| Hillsboro | 120 | $53,125 | 15.0% | $55,000 |
| Swedesburg | 119 | $74,861 | 24.4% | N/A |
| Mount Union | 111 | $50,500 | 10.8% | $96,100 |
| Trenton | 75 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Rome
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton | 75 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Leando | 74 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 13.5% |
| Yarmouth | 85 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Lanesboro | 78 | $44,167 | $70,000 | 7.2% | 14.1% |
| St. Joseph | 73 | $37,344 | N/A | 60.3% | 26.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 79, Rome'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
Rome is a small community located in Iowa, within Henry County. The total population is 79. It ranks as the 889th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rome is 33.6 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 34.2% of the population under 18, Rome has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rome is $39,000. This is 48% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 83% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Rome, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $65,000. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Rome is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rome has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.9% of all residents.
Education
6.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 91.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rome, 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 Rome, Iowa?
Rome, Iowa has a population of 79 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rome, IA?
The median household income in Rome is $39,000, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rome, IA?
The poverty rate in Rome is 20.3%. This means approximately 16 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rome, Iowa?
Rome's population is 89.9% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rome, IA?
The median home value in Rome is $65,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Rome, Iowa?
6.7% of adults (25+) in Rome hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.