Van Buren County, Iowa Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Van Buren County is located in Iowa with a total population of 7,236. It is the 90th most populous county out of 99 in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Van Buren County is 44.8 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Van Buren County is $60,183. This is 18% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $118,800. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Van Buren County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Van Buren County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.3%.