South English, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South English, Iowa had a total population of 260, the 641st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $51,016, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
South English Quick Facts
How South English 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 | 212 | 260 | +22.6% |
| Median household income | $50,208 | $51,016 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $77,200 | $97,000 | +25.6% |
How South English 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+)
South English Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Keokuk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigourney | 1,954 | $57,813 | 14.8% | $136,800 |
| Hedrick | 913 | $67,500 | 22.3% | $79,600 |
| What Cheer | 580 | $48,182 | 21.2% | $49,200 |
| Richland | 544 | $60,446 | 10.9% | $135,700 |
| Delta | 363 | $52,083 | 12.2% | $48,100 |
| Keswick | 255 | $63,750 | 6.7% | $89,200 |
| Ollie | 238 | $71,875 | 18.1% | $89,400 |
| Kinross | 171 | $73,438 | 10.2% | $73,100 |
| Harper | 155 | $100,417 | 7.7% | $99,200 |
| Webster | 134 | $34,773 | 4.5% | $83,300 |
Cities Similar to South English
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lineville | 259 | $50,833 | $56,100 | 10.7% | 20.5% |
| Low Moor | 253 | $52,143 | $118,300 | 9.9% | 19.1% |
| Greeley | 252 | $49,375 | $98,300 | 1.2% | 22.0% |
| Meservey | 262 | $46,750 | $50,800 | 7.2% | 31.7% |
| Arthur | 252 | $53,711 | $50,000 | 22.3% | 24.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 260, South English'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
South English is a small community located in Iowa, within Keokuk County. The total population is 260. It ranks as the 641st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in South English is 39.4 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South English is $51,016. This is 32% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $97,000. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, South English is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South English is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.0%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
8.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South English, 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 South English, Iowa?
South English, Iowa has a population of 260 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South English, IA?
The median household income in South English is $51,016, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South English, IA?
The poverty rate in South English is 13.9%. This means approximately 36 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South English, Iowa?
South English's population is 76.9% White, 1.1% Black, 10.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in South English, IA?
The median home value in South English is $97,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is South English, Iowa?
8.3% of adults (25+) in South English hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.