Storm Lake, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Storm Lake, Iowa had a total population of 11,428, the 35th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $62,765, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Storm Lake Quick Facts
How Storm Lake 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 | 11,275 | 11,428 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $58,341 | $62,765 | +7.6% |
| Median home value | $163,600 | $172,200 | +5.3% |
How Storm Lake 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Storm Lake Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Buena Vista County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alta | 2,250 | $65,833 | 10.2% | $146,600 |
| Newell | 944 | $66,667 | 2.0% | $122,600 |
| Albert City | 722 | $80,972 | 12.9% | $96,500 |
| Sioux Rapids | 722 | $60,000 | 6.1% | $88,700 |
| Lakeside | 563 | $106,250 | 2.7% | $246,400 |
| Marathon | 234 | $39,375 | 25.2% | $46,900 |
| Linn Grove | 215 | $62,250 | 9.3% | $93,300 |
| Truesdale | 187 | $100,076 | 8.0% | $35,800 |
| Rembrandt | 157 | $58,438 | 19.8% | $85,800 |
Cities Similar to Storm Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oskaloosa | 11,504 | $64,004 | $153,300 | 25.4% | 16.6% |
| Spencer | 11,400 | $59,667 | $184,800 | 29.8% | 14.0% |
| Boone | 12,424 | $69,222 | $173,000 | 24.0% | 8.3% |
| Le Mars | 10,640 | $74,701 | $219,200 | 21.1% | 9.2% |
| Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $188,700 | 27.1% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Storm Lake is a small city located in Iowa, within Buena Vista County. The total population is 11,428. It ranks as the 35th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Storm Lake is 30.9 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Storm Lake is $62,765. This is 16% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.0%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $172,200. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Storm Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Storm Lake is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (33.1%) is well below the state average of 82.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (43.5% vs 7.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (12.8% vs 2.5%).
Education
18.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 72.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Storm Lake, 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 Storm Lake, Iowa?
Storm Lake, Iowa has a population of 11,428 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Storm Lake, IA?
The median household income in Storm Lake is $62,765, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Storm Lake, IA?
The poverty rate in Storm Lake is 7.0%. This means approximately 745 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Storm Lake, Iowa?
Storm Lake's population is 33.1% White, 3.8% Black, 43.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Storm Lake, IA?
The median home value in Storm Lake is $172,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Storm Lake, Iowa?
18.9% of adults (25+) in Storm Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.