Sheldon, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sheldon, Iowa had a total population of 5,474, the 76th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $62,159, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.
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 0.6%.
Sheldon Quick Facts
How Sheldon 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 | 5,386 | 5,474 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $68,448 | $62,159 | -9.2% |
| Median home value | $173,600 | $192,700 | +11.0% |
How Sheldon 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+)
Sheldon Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Sioux County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Center | 8,454 | $92,983 | 2.2% | $290,800 |
| Orange City | 6,426 | $82,122 | 11.2% | $264,000 |
| Rock Valley | 4,059 | $76,250 | 9.3% | $231,200 |
| Hawarden | 2,658 | $74,167 | 7.2% | $136,300 |
| Hull | 2,317 | $72,344 | 5.5% | $225,700 |
| Alton | 1,459 | $98,036 | 2.6% | $218,900 |
| Hospers | 916 | $69,444 | 17.4% | $155,300 |
| Boyden | 757 | $88,125 | 10.4% | $177,700 |
| Ireton | 552 | $71,250 | 18.7% | $156,600 |
| Granville | 265 | $68,750 | 7.2% | $162,500 |
Cities Similar to Sheldon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Lake | 5,518 | $65,720 | $215,100 | 26.8% | 6.3% |
| Anamosa | 5,629 | $60,650 | $172,600 | 18.2% | 18.5% |
| Winterset | 5,416 | $67,708 | $192,500 | 22.0% | 10.3% |
| Osceola | 5,523 | $68,284 | $146,300 | 14.0% | 6.4% |
| Manchester | 5,191 | $61,191 | $139,400 | 25.3% | 11.4% |
Population Overview
Sheldon is a small city located in Iowa, within Sioux County. The total population is 5,474. It ranks as the 76th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sheldon is 37.6 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sheldon is $62,159. This is 17% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $192,700. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sheldon is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.1% vs 7.3%).
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 85.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sheldon, 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 Sheldon, Iowa?
Sheldon, Iowa has a population of 5,474 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sheldon, IA?
The median household income in Sheldon is $62,159, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sheldon, IA?
The poverty rate in Sheldon is 15.3%. This means approximately 808 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sheldon, Iowa?
Sheldon's population is 76.0% White, 2.6% Black, 17.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sheldon, IA?
The median home value in Sheldon is $192,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Sheldon, Iowa?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Sheldon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.