Washta, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Washta, Iowa had a total population of 180, the 721st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $46,979, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.9% 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 1.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.8% is notably above the national average.
Washta Quick Facts
How Washta 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 | 171 | 180 | +5.3% |
| Median household income | $50,313 | $46,979 | -6.6% |
| Median home value | $50,500 | $48,600 | -3.8% |
How Washta 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+)
Washta Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Cherokee County
Cities Similar to Washta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford | 178 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Modale | 181 | $49,375 | $83,000 | 10.6% | 11.1% |
| West Chester | 178 | $49,375 | $80,300 | 15.1% | 24.2% |
| Bentley | 189 | N/A | $188,900 | 63.7% | 6.3% |
| Riverton | 188 | $48,359 | $50,800 | 13.7% | 14.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 180, Washta'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
Washta is a small community located in Iowa, within Cherokee County. The total population is 180. It ranks as the 721st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Washta is 56.8 years. This is 47% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 10.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.0% 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 Washta is $46,979. This is 37% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.4%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 13.8%. This is 284% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $48,600. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x, Washta is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Washta has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
9.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 81.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Washta, 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 Washta, Iowa?
Washta, Iowa has a population of 180 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Washta, IA?
The median household income in Washta is $46,979, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Washta, IA?
The poverty rate in Washta is 9.4%. This means approximately 17 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Washta, Iowa?
Washta's population is 94.4% White, 0.0% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Washta, IA?
The median home value in Washta is $48,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.0x.
How educated is Washta, Iowa?
9.9% of adults (25+) in Washta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.