Sandusky, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sandusky, Iowa had a total population of 354, the 563rd largest community in Iowa, with a median household income of $108,977, which is 45% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
Sandusky Quick Facts
How Sandusky 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 | 355 | 354 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $96,118 | $108,977 | +13.4% |
| Median home value | $223,400 | $331,300 | +48.3% |
How Sandusky 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+)
Sandusky Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Lee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Madison | 10,133 | $50,705 | 15.0% | $94,200 |
| Keokuk | 9,662 | $52,711 | 18.3% | $104,300 |
| West Point | 840 | $73,125 | 10.2% | $178,700 |
| Denmark | 835 | $136,875 | 1.0% | $194,400 |
| Donnellson | 776 | $54,453 | 14.1% | $147,800 |
| Montrose | 744 | $66,250 | 11.7% | $103,500 |
| Franklin | 148 | N/A | 1.4% | $111,300 |
| Mooar | 144 | $69,423 | 4.9% | $77,200 |
| Wever | 142 | $43,750 | 16.2% | $311,100 |
| Houghton | 72 | $106,042 | 1.4% | $252,800 |
Cities Similar to Sandusky
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelley | 382 | $111,250 | $220,800 | 32.7% | 7.8% |
| Lester | 340 | $99,063 | $190,900 | 17.2% | 1.5% |
| Donahue | 390 | $104,063 | $200,700 | 19.4% | 3.9% |
| New Vienna | 372 | $93,250 | $201,600 | 16.4% | 4.6% |
| Hornick | 340 | $85,938 | $113,300 | 7.7% | 6.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 354, Sandusky'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
Sandusky is a small community located in Iowa, within Lee County. The total population is 354. It ranks as the 563rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sandusky is 40.7 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sandusky is $108,977. This is 45% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 35% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Sandusky, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $331,300. Housing costs are 59% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 93.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sandusky has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.3% of all residents.
Education
32.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% higher 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sandusky, 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 Sandusky, Iowa?
Sandusky, Iowa has a population of 354 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sandusky, IA?
The median household income in Sandusky is $108,977, which is 35% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sandusky, IA?
The poverty rate in Sandusky is 11.6%. This means approximately 41 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sandusky, Iowa?
Sandusky's population is 96.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sandusky, IA?
The median home value in Sandusky is $331,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Sandusky, Iowa?
32.9% of adults (25+) in Sandusky hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.