Thompson, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thompson, Iowa had a total population of 459, the 488th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $61,250, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 37.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Thompson Quick Facts
How Thompson 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 | 448 | 459 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $49,375 | $61,250 | +24.1% |
| Median home value | $99,600 | $95,700 | -3.9% |
How Thompson 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+)
Thompson Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Winnebago County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mills | 2,088 | $61,875 | 15.3% | $122,600 |
| Buffalo Center | 911 | $52,917 | 8.2% | $100,500 |
| Leland | 306 | $52,500 | 18.7% | $92,900 |
| Rake | 190 | $42,386 | 23.3% | $49,000 |
| Scarville | 66 | N/A | 27.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Thompson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 454 | $61,711 | $101,500 | 14.6% | 16.3% |
| Ashton | 461 | $57,375 | $98,800 | 12.3% | 7.2% |
| Birmingham | 454 | $65,000 | $96,300 | 12.1% | 13.1% |
| Breda | 477 | $62,095 | $144,600 | 14.3% | 4.0% |
| Grandview | 449 | $57,625 | $142,400 | 11.1% | 9.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 459, Thompson'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
Thompson is a small community located in Iowa, within Winnebago County. The total population is 459. It ranks as the 488th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thompson is 58.6 years. This is 52% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 12.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.6% 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 Thompson is $61,250. This is 18% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 33% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $95,700. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Thompson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Thompson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%.
Education
37.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Thompson in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 18% higher 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 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thompson, 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 Thompson, Iowa?
Thompson, Iowa has a population of 459 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thompson, IA?
The median household income in Thompson is $61,250, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thompson, IA?
The poverty rate in Thompson is 7.5%. This means approximately 34 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thompson, Iowa?
Thompson's population is 91.1% White, 0.0% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thompson, IA?
The median home value in Thompson is $95,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Thompson, Iowa?
37.2% of adults (25+) in Thompson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.