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Stuart, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 2.5x is exceptionally low

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stuart, Iowa had a total population of 1,655, the 197th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $65,000, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.0%.

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

Key Takeaways

Stuart Quick Facts

Population 1,655
Median Household Income $65,000
Median Home Value $159,500
Poverty Rate 14.0%
Unemployment Rate 4.7%
Median Age 37.9 years
Homeownership Rate 70.7%
Affordability Ratio 2.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 17.0%
High School Graduation Rate 92.9%
Diversity Index 31/100
Population 1,655 197th of 1,017
Median Income $65,000 average
Poverty Rate 14.0% 12% higher than national
Median Home Value $159,500 above average

How Stuart 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
Population1,6421,655+0.8%
Median household income$62,500$65,000+4.0%
Median home value$152,300$159,500+4.7%

How Stuart Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 19.8%
$25K-$50K 22.7%
$50K-$100K 26.6%
$100K+ 30.9%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
1.9%
$10K-$15K
9.1%
$15K-$20K
3.4%
$20K-$25K
5.4%
$25K-$30K
5.1%
$30K-$35K
7.2%
$35K-$40K
3.4%
$40K-$45K
2.3%
$45K-$50K
4.7%
$50K-$60K
4.8%
$60K-$75K
9.5%
$75K-$100K
12.3%
$100K-$125K
11.7%
$125K-$150K
10.9%
$150K-$200K
6.5%
$200K+
1.8%

Employment

4.7% Unemployment Rate State: 3.6%|National: 5.2%
62.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 70.7%
Renter 29.3%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.5x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $717/mo 13.2% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

31out 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

Stuart Rankings in Iowa

#197 Population of 1,017
#516 Median Income of 948
#523 Education of 1,016
#295 Home Value of 947

Other Cities in Guthrie County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Guthrie Center 1,689 $71,116 14.8% $123,800
Panora 1,579 $66,339 9.3% $182,000
Lake Panorama 928 $126,563 4.9% $388,600
Yale 405 $54,464 12.3% $80,800
Bayard 398 $57,250 26.7% $65,800
Menlo 398 $77,396 5.3% $107,100
Casey 381 $58,438 27.6% $96,600
Diamondhead Lake 285 $148,542 0.0% $411,800
Bagley 223 $38,906 19.0% $80,000
Jamaica 189 $52,250 23.5% $67,000

Cities Similar to Stuart

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Manson1,645$66,250$116,90027.7%8.9%
Akron1,689$66,250$157,90022.9%9.5%
Nashua1,622$66,597$129,60014.2%7.3%
Holstein1,600$64,115$114,40034.6%16.8%
Corning1,567$64,773$96,40025.2%12.4%

Population Overview

Stuart is a small community located in Iowa, within Guthrie County. The total population is 1,655. It ranks as the 197th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Stuart is 37.9 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. 15.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Stuart is $65,000. This is 13% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $159,500. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Stuart is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 71.7%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Stuart is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.2%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.

Education

17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 92.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Stuart, 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 Stuart, Iowa?

Stuart, Iowa has a population of 1,655 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Stuart, IA?

The median household income in Stuart is $65,000, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Stuart, IA?

The poverty rate in Stuart is 14.0%. This means approximately 220 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Stuart, Iowa?

Stuart's population is 82.7% White, 3.8% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Stuart, IA?

The median home value in Stuart is $159,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.

How educated is Stuart, Iowa?

17.0% of adults (25+) in Stuart hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.