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Sibley, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 2.2x is exceptionally low

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sibley, Iowa had a total population of 2,803, the 129th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $55,070, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.5%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Sibley Quick Facts

Population 2,803
Median Household Income $55,070
Median Home Value $122,000
Poverty Rate 23.5%
Unemployment Rate 6.7%
Median Age 37.1 years
Homeownership Rate 72.8%
Affordability Ratio 2.2x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 22.9%
High School Graduation Rate 90.0%
Diversity Index 35/100
Population 2,803 129th of 1,017
Median Income $55,070 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 23.5% 89% higher than national
Median Home Value $122,000 average

How Sibley Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population2,8212,803-0.6%
Median household income$54,767$55,070+0.6%
Median home value$119,800$122,000+1.8%

How Sibley Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 22.5%
$25K-$50K 21.9%
$50K-$100K 33.8%
$100K+ 21.8%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.4%
$10K-$15K
6.6%
$15K-$20K
5.3%
$20K-$25K
6.3%
$25K-$30K
8.0%
$30K-$35K
3.6%
$35K-$40K
4.1%
$40K-$45K
2.9%
$45K-$50K
3.2%
$50K-$60K
12.2%
$60K-$75K
7.7%
$75K-$100K
13.9%
$100K-$125K
6.7%
$125K-$150K
5.1%
$150K-$200K
4.1%
$200K+
5.9%

Employment

6.7% Unemployment Rate State: 3.6%|National: 5.2%
64.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 72.8%
Renter 27.2%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.2x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $774/mo 16.9% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

35out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 31 | National average: 61

Education

Sibley Rankings in Iowa

#129 Population of 1,017
#744 Median Income of 948
#295 Education of 1,016
#462 Home Value of 947

Other Cities in Osceola County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Ocheyedan 511 $79,500 6.3% $102,400
Ashton 461 $57,375 7.2% $98,800
Melvin 230 $65,417 14.4% $68,000
Harris 222 $53,911 11.0% $87,500

Cities Similar to Sibley

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Belmond2,694$56,528$129,10029.9%19.8%
Marengo2,725$57,941$123,20012.9%13.2%
Bloomfield2,742$60,769$132,00023.8%6.9%
Onawa2,839$62,143$145,80019.4%16.3%
Clarion2,770$64,625$116,20026.5%10.5%

Population Overview

Sibley is a small community located in Iowa, within Osceola County. The total population is 2,803. It ranks as the 129th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sibley is 37.1 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Sibley is $55,070. This is 27% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.5%. This is 112% 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 unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 86% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $122,000. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Sibley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 71.7%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sibley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.8%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.8% vs 7.3%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.

Education

22.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 90.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Sibley, 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 Sibley, Iowa?

Sibley, Iowa has a population of 2,803 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Sibley, IA?

The median household income in Sibley is $55,070, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Sibley, IA?

The poverty rate in Sibley is 23.5%. This means approximately 634 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Sibley, Iowa?

Sibley's population is 78.6% White, 0.8% Black, 16.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.

What is the median home value in Sibley, IA?

The median home value in Sibley is $122,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.

How educated is Sibley, Iowa?

22.9% of adults (25+) in Sibley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.