Rowley, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rowley, Iowa had a total population of 353, the 566th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $60,313, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.5%.
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 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
Rowley Quick Facts
How Rowley 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 | 354 | 353 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $60,417 | $60,313 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $135,200 | $145,800 | +7.8% |
How Rowley 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+)
Rowley Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Buchanan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | 6,164 | $73,806 | 7.6% | $165,300 |
| Fairbank | 1,275 | $89,712 | 4.1% | $186,900 |
| Winthrop | 1,040 | $69,792 | 3.8% | $158,200 |
| Hazleton | 720 | $51,964 | 14.9% | $85,900 |
| Quasqueton | 703 | $75,000 | 12.7% | $145,800 |
| Lamont | 514 | $61,250 | 13.0% | $98,600 |
| Brandon | 307 | $61,250 | 13.0% | $113,800 |
| Aurora | 214 | $62,656 | 11.7% | $128,300 |
| Stanley | 69 | $70,500 | 7.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Rowley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan | 346 | $60,625 | $155,400 | 22.7% | 6.8% |
| Lytton | 357 | $62,708 | $65,600 | 13.3% | 7.6% |
| Ute | 351 | $55,341 | $75,000 | 8.7% | 12.0% |
| Spillville | 356 | $54,375 | $157,500 | 19.0% | 14.3% |
| Lawler | 363 | $65,833 | $117,100 | 18.8% | 10.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 353, Rowley'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
Rowley is a small community located in Iowa, within Buchanan County. The total population is 353. It ranks as the 566th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rowley is 42.6 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rowley is $60,313. This is 20% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.5%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 8.1%. This is 125% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $145,800. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Rowley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 86.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Rowley was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 99.4% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
18.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 96.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rowley, 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 Rowley, Iowa?
Rowley, Iowa has a population of 353 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rowley, IA?
The median household income in Rowley is $60,313, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rowley, IA?
The poverty rate in Rowley is 9.5%. This means approximately 33 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rowley, Iowa?
Rowley's population is 99.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rowley, IA?
The median home value in Rowley is $145,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Rowley, Iowa?
18.4% of adults (25+) in Rowley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.