Stanley, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stanley, Iowa had a total population of 69, the 912th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $70,500, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 22.9% is notably above the national average.
Stanley Quick Facts
How Stanley 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 | 73 | 69 | -5.5% |
| Median household income | $48,750 | $70,500 | +44.6% |
How Stanley 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Stanley Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Buchanan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | 6,164 | $73,806 | 7.6% | $165,300 |
| Fairbank | 1,275 | $89,712 | 4.1% | $186,900 |
| Winthrop | 1,040 | $69,792 | 3.8% | $158,200 |
| Hazleton | 720 | $51,964 | 14.9% | $85,900 |
| Quasqueton | 703 | $75,000 | 12.7% | $145,800 |
| Lamont | 514 | $61,250 | 13.0% | $98,600 |
| Rowley | 353 | $60,313 | 9.5% | $145,800 |
| Brandon | 307 | $61,250 | 13.0% | $113,800 |
| Aurora | 214 | $62,656 | 11.7% | $128,300 |
Cities Similar to Stanley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marysville | 70 | N/A | $205,000 | 0.0% | 4.3% |
| Oto | 68 | N/A | $56,700 | 31.3% | 17.6% |
| Vining | 68 | $73,750 | $90,000 | 20.4% | 8.8% |
| Scarville | 66 | N/A | N/A | 15.8% | 27.3% |
| Leando | 74 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 13.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 69, Stanley'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
Stanley is a small community located in Iowa, within Buchanan County. The total population is 69. It ranks as the 912th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stanley is 50.1 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 7.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Stanley is $70,500. This is 6% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.2%. This is 35% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 22.9%. This is 540% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. 89.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Stanley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (5.8% vs 3.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.4% vs 7.3%).
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Stanley, 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 Stanley, Iowa?
Stanley, Iowa has a population of 69 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Stanley, IA?
The median household income in Stanley is $70,500, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Stanley, IA?
The poverty rate in Stanley is 7.2%. This means approximately 5 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Stanley, Iowa?
Stanley's population is 73.9% White, 5.8% Black, 17.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Stanley, IA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Stanley — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Stanley, Iowa?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Stanley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.