Van Wert, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Van Wert, Iowa had a total population of 188, the 713th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $74,375, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 5.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 3.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x.
Van Wert Quick Facts
How Van Wert 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 | 131 | 188 | +43.5% |
| Median household income | $58,750 | $74,375 | +26.6% |
| Median home value | $62,300 | $66,800 | +7.2% |
How Van Wert 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 Wert Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Decatur County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamoni | 2,207 | $54,554 | 16.6% | $113,400 |
| Leon | 1,899 | $54,231 | 10.7% | $99,800 |
| Garden Grove | 171 | $34,000 | 22.2% | $46,100 |
| Grand River | 166 | $40,156 | 19.3% | $40,000 |
| Davis City | 160 | $36,833 | 20.0% | $54,300 |
| Weldon | 88 | $51,875 | 5.7% | N/A |
| Pleasanton | 61 | N/A | 0.0% | $210,700 |
| Le Roy | 19 | $56,875 | 5.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Van Wert
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley | 189 | N/A | $188,900 | 63.7% | 6.3% |
| Weston | 192 | N/A | N/A | 65.5% | 0.0% |
| Bradford | 178 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Conroy | 199 | N/A | $213,000 | 51.8% | 4.0% |
| Magnolia | 180 | $78,393 | $107,100 | 18.2% | 1.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 188, Van Wert'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
Van Wert is a small community located in Iowa, within Decatur County. The total population is 188. It ranks as the 713th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Van Wert is 57.0 years. This is 48% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 11.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.2% 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 Van Wert is $74,375. This is about the same as the state median of $75,059. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 1% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $66,800. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x, Van Wert is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Van Wert has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.9% of all residents.
Education
3.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 89% lower 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 94.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Van Wert, 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 Wert, Iowa?
Van Wert, Iowa has a population of 188 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Van Wert, IA?
The median household income in Van Wert is $74,375, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Van Wert, IA?
The poverty rate in Van Wert is 5.3%. This means approximately 10 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Van Wert, Iowa?
Van Wert's population is 97.9% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Van Wert, IA?
The median home value in Van Wert is $66,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.9x.
How educated is Van Wert, Iowa?
3.5% of adults (25+) in Van Wert hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.