Van Meter city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Van Meter city, Iowa has a total population of 1,469, the 219th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $133,750, which is 83% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 83% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.2% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- 42.4% 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 1.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Van Meter city Quick Facts
How Van Meter city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Van Meter city Rankings in Iowa
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Cities Similar to Van Meter city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earlham city | 1,406 | $104,464 | $248,400 | 28.9% | 4.6% |
| Fairbank city | 1,509 | $100,172 | $173,200 | 19.9% | 2.5% |
| Walford city | 1,318 | $116,477 | $274,500 | 33.9% | 1.4% |
| Treynor city | 1,228 | $132,679 | $250,000 | 43.7% | 5.8% |
| Urbana city | 1,628 | $112,672 | $224,100 | 28.8% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Van Meter city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 1,469. It ranks as the 219th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Van Meter city is 35.8 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 33.7% of the population under 18, Van Meter city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Van Meter city is $133,750. This is 83% higher than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 70% higher. The poverty rate stands at 3.2%. This is 71% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $250,300. Housing costs are 28% higher than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Van Meter city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 92.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Van Meter city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.9%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
42.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Van Meter city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 38% higher 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 98.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Van Meter city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Van Meter city, Iowa?
Van Meter city, Iowa has a population of 1,469 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Van Meter city, IA?
The median household income in Van Meter city is $133,750, which is 70% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Van Meter city, IA?
The poverty rate in Van Meter city is 3.2%. This means approximately 46 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Van Meter city, Iowa?
Van Meter city's population is 96.4% White, 0.9% Black, 0.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Van Meter city, IA?
The median home value in Van Meter city is $250,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Van Meter city, Iowa?
42.4% of adults (25+) in Van Meter city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.