Wapello city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Wapello city, Iowa has a total population of 1,935, the 168th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $71,131, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Wapello city Quick Facts
How Wapello 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+)
Wapello city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Cities Similar to Wapello city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediapolis city | 1,930 | $71,250 | $167,300 | 34.3% | 9.7% |
| Ogden city | 1,902 | $70,556 | $155,800 | 19.6% | 8.8% |
| Epworth city | 1,991 | $73,571 | $229,200 | 28.4% | 3.9% |
| Pleasantville city | 1,883 | $67,692 | $161,500 | 20.3% | 5.6% |
| Britt city | 1,919 | $64,257 | $96,300 | 25.6% | 11.9% |
Population Overview
Wapello city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 1,935. It ranks as the 168th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wapello city is 46.2 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.8% 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 Wapello city is $71,131. This is 3% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 9% lower. The poverty rate stands at 6.7%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $128,800. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Wapello city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wapello city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 88.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wapello 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.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wapello city, Iowa?
Wapello city, Iowa has a population of 1,935 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wapello city, IA?
The median household income in Wapello city is $71,131, which is 9% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Wapello city, IA?
The poverty rate in Wapello city is 6.7%. This means approximately 128 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wapello city, Iowa?
Wapello city's population is 82.3% White, 1.5% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wapello city, IA?
The median home value in Wapello city is $128,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Wapello city, Iowa?
17.8% of adults (25+) in Wapello city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.