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Sioux City, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

4th Largest4th most populous city in Iowa

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sioux City, Iowa had a total population of 86,101, the 4th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $68,906, which is 8% 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

Sioux City Quick Facts

Population 86,101
Median Household Income $68,906
Median Home Value $173,600
Poverty Rate 15.3%
Unemployment Rate 4.5%
Median Age 34.9 years
Homeownership Rate 65.3%
Affordability Ratio 2.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 22.9%
High School Graduation Rate 85.6%
Diversity Index 56/100
Population 86,101 4th of 1,017
Median Income $68,906 average
Poverty Rate 15.3% 23% higher than national
Median Home Value $173,600 top 30%

How Sioux City 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
Population85,65186,101+0.5%
Median household income$65,473$68,906+5.2%
Median home value$162,600$173,600+6.8%

How Sioux City Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 18.0%
$25K-$50K 18.9%
$50K-$100K 30.8%
$100K+ 32.3%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.6%
$10K-$15K
4.7%
$15K-$20K
4.0%
$20K-$25K
3.8%
$25K-$30K
4.1%
$30K-$35K
3.7%
$35K-$40K
3.1%
$40K-$45K
3.7%
$45K-$50K
4.4%
$50K-$60K
7.4%
$60K-$75K
9.0%
$75K-$100K
14.4%
$100K-$125K
11.2%
$125K-$150K
8.2%
$150K-$200K
6.7%
$200K+
6.1%

Employment

4.5% Unemployment Rate State: 3.6%|National: 5.2%
67.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 65.3%
Renter 34.7%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.5x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $976/mo 17.0% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

56out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 31 | National average: 61

Education

Sioux City Rankings in Iowa

#4 Population of 1,017
#430 Median Income of 948
#294 Education of 1,016
#234 Home Value of 947

Other Cities in Woodbury County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Sergeant Bluff 5,171 $123,481 9.5% $298,500
Moville 1,670 $96,016 3.4% $218,800
Sloan 1,018 $68,125 14.0% $205,900
Lawton 790 $86,875 2.9% $254,200
Correctionville 761 $50,192 15.2% $84,700
Anthon 514 $51,250 11.9% $101,400
Salix 402 $62,500 1.8% $161,400
Hornick 340 $85,938 6.0% $113,300
Bronson 312 $86,458 4.8% $168,800
Pierson 302 $75,000 7.3% $74,000

Cities Similar to Sioux City

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Davenport100,913$66,200$166,40029.9%15.2%
Iowa City75,752$58,546$285,90060.5%26.3%
Ames67,669$60,991$277,40065.8%25.4%
West Des Moines71,083$86,594$309,00054.9%8.4%
Waterloo67,008$57,480$152,60021.8%16.6%

Population Overview

Sioux City is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Woodbury County. The total population is 86,101. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sioux City is 34.9 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Sioux City is $68,906. This is 8% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 15% 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 4.5%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $173,600. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Sioux City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 71.7%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sioux City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (5.9% vs 3.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.6% vs 7.3%).

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 85.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Sioux City, 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.

Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Sioux City, Iowa?

Sioux City, Iowa has a population of 86,101 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Sioux City, IA?

The median household income in Sioux City is $68,906, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Sioux City, IA?

The poverty rate in Sioux City is 15.3%. This means approximately 12,748 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Sioux City, Iowa?

Sioux City's population is 61.8% White, 5.9% Black, 22.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.

What is the median home value in Sioux City, IA?

The median home value in Sioux City is $173,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.

How educated is Sioux City, Iowa?

22.9% of adults (25+) in Sioux City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.