Thayer, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thayer, Iowa had a total population of 45, the 952nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $55,000, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.4% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Only 7.4% 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 0.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 22.2% is notably above the national average.
Thayer Quick Facts
How Thayer 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 | 50 | 45 | -10.0% |
| Median household income | $52,500 | $55,000 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $26,000 | $25,800 | -0.8% |
How Thayer 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+)
Thayer Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
Cities Similar to Thayer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandyville | 44 | N/A | $187,500 | 16.7% | 2.3% |
| Aspinwall | 45 | $61,250 | $85,000 | 17.1% | 35.6% |
| Nemaha | 48 | $56,667 | $63,300 | 3.3% | 0.0% |
| Carbon | 46 | $48,750 | N/A | 8.7% | 30.4% |
| Cylinder | 46 | $62,500 | $91,700 | 34.2% | 10.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 45, Thayer'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
Thayer is a small community located in Iowa, within Union County. The total population is 45. It ranks as the 952nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thayer is 29.5 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 40.0% of the population under 18, Thayer has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Thayer is $55,000. This is 27% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.4%. This is 60% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 22.2%. This is 521% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $25,800. Housing costs are 88% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.5x, Thayer is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Thayer is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.3% of the population.
Education
7.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thayer, 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 Thayer, Iowa?
Thayer, Iowa has a population of 45 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thayer, IA?
The median household income in Thayer is $55,000, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thayer, IA?
The poverty rate in Thayer is 4.4%. This means approximately 2 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thayer, Iowa?
Thayer's population is 73.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thayer, IA?
The median home value in Thayer is $25,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.5x.
How educated is Thayer, Iowa?
7.4% of adults (25+) in Thayer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.