Shenandoah city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Shenandoah city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 4,913. It ranks as the 88th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Shenandoah city is 44.1 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 11.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Shenandoah city is $52,469. This is 28% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.1%. This is 101% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $110,000. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Shenandoah city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Shenandoah city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.3%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.

Education

18.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% 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 Shenandoah city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.