Urbandale, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Urbandale, Iowa had a total population of 46,595, the 12th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $112,795, which is 50% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- 51.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
Urbandale Quick Facts
How Urbandale 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 | 46,026 | 46,595 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $113,086 | $112,795 | -0.3% |
| Median home value | $318,800 | $335,500 | +5.2% |
How Urbandale 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+)
Urbandale Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | 14.9% | $194,700 |
| Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | 4.2% | $331,000 |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | 8.4% | $309,000 |
| Johnston | 24,384 | $106,551 | 10.2% | $369,100 |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | 8.3% | $274,600 |
| Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | 7.3% | $401,100 |
| Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | 4.4% | $304,700 |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | 4.2% | $303,100 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | 8.9% | $295,100 |
| Bondurant | 8,560 | $135,674 | 6.2% | $318,800 |
Cities Similar to Urbandale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bettendorf | 39,647 | $100,495 | $306,500 | 50.7% | 6.7% |
| Marion | 41,896 | $86,743 | $241,700 | 38.1% | 8.2% |
| Cedar Falls | 40,888 | $76,987 | $263,600 | 50.4% | 15.7% |
| Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | $331,000 | 52.1% | 4.2% |
| Dubuque | 59,174 | $65,845 | $204,800 | 34.0% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Urbandale is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Polk County. The total population is 46,595. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Urbandale is 39.2 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Urbandale is $112,795. This is 50% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 40% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.8%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $335,500. Housing costs are 61% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 78.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Urbandale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.9% vs 2.5%).
Education
51.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Urbandale in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 63% 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 93.9%. Notably, 18.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, Iowa?
Urbandale, Iowa has a population of 46,595 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Urbandale, IA?
The median household income in Urbandale is $112,795, which is 40% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Urbandale, IA?
The poverty rate in Urbandale is 6.8%. This means approximately 3,143 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Urbandale, Iowa?
Urbandale's population is 79.4% White, 4.8% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Urbandale, IA?
The median home value in Urbandale is $335,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Urbandale, Iowa?
51.2% of adults (25+) in Urbandale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.