Van Meter, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Van Meter, Iowa had a total population of 1,628, the 200th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $135,139, which is 80% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 80% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.6% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- 43.4% 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 2.0x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Van Meter Quick Facts
How Van Meter 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 | 1,469 | 1,628 | +10.8% |
| Median household income | $133,750 | $135,139 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $250,300 | $264,000 | +5.5% |
How Van Meter 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+)
Van Meter Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Dallas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukee | 29,236 | $101,029 | 7.4% | $350,500 |
| Perry | 7,985 | $68,910 | 8.9% | $121,400 |
| Adel | 6,430 | $95,250 | 7.2% | $327,900 |
| Dallas Center | 2,161 | $95,854 | 8.8% | $246,800 |
| De Soto | 1,041 | $97,109 | 7.3% | $227,700 |
| Woodward | 977 | $65,658 | 7.0% | $179,900 |
| Redfield | 780 | $66,094 | 10.0% | $142,800 |
| Dexter | 620 | $87,250 | 5.8% | $163,500 |
| Minburn | 354 | $71,042 | 3.1% | $134,800 |
| Bouton | 168 | $76,875 | 18.4% | $113,900 |
Cities Similar to Van Meter
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urbana | 1,639 | $115,655 | $228,900 | 29.1% | 5.5% |
| Earlham | 1,528 | $115,086 | $267,600 | 32.1% | 4.7% |
| Kent Estates | 1,848 | $121,971 | $347,700 | 42.4% | 11.4% |
| Moville | 1,670 | $96,016 | $218,800 | 37.4% | 3.4% |
| Gilbert | 1,381 | $122,656 | $274,600 | 44.3% | 3.4% |
Population Overview
Van Meter is a small community located in Iowa, within Dallas County. The total population is 1,628. It ranks as the 200th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Van Meter is 38.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 33.3% of the population under 18, Van Meter has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Van Meter is $135,139. This is 80% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 67% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.6%. This is 76% 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 1.9%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $264,000. Housing costs are 27% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Van Meter is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 92.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Van Meter has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
43.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Van Meter in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 38% 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 97.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Van Meter, 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 Van Meter, Iowa?
Van Meter, Iowa has a population of 1,628 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Van Meter, IA?
The median household income in Van Meter is $135,139, which is 67% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Van Meter, IA?
The poverty rate in Van Meter is 2.6%. This means approximately 42 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Van Meter, Iowa?
Van Meter's population is 97.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Van Meter, IA?
The median home value in Van Meter is $264,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Van Meter, Iowa?
43.4% of adults (25+) in Van Meter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.