Waterville, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waterville, Iowa had a total population of 137, the 791st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $44,750, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.4% 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 2.2x.
Waterville Quick Facts
How Waterville 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 | 143 | 137 | -4.2% |
| Median household income | $48,750 | $44,750 | -8.2% |
| Median home value | $93,800 | $99,000 | +5.5% |
How Waterville 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+)
Waterville Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Allamakee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukon | 3,792 | $60,269 | 10.0% | $147,200 |
| Lansing | 1,115 | $65,625 | 5.1% | $167,500 |
| New Albin | 399 | $61,953 | 3.5% | $134,600 |
| Harpers Ferry | 253 | $44,107 | 9.9% | $174,200 |
Cities Similar to Waterville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Donatus | 135 | $44,141 | $203,300 | 6.7% | 16.3% |
| Prairieburg | 143 | $45,000 | $97,700 | 4.0% | 9.2% |
| Wever | 142 | $43,750 | $311,100 | 13.5% | 16.2% |
| Little Sioux | 129 | N/A | $39,400 | 12.4% | 25.6% |
| Floris | 128 | N/A | $53,300 | 13.0% | 6.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 137, Waterville'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
Waterville is a small community located in Iowa, within Allamakee County. The total population is 137. It ranks as the 791st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterville is 50.5 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, Waterville has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waterville is $44,750. This is 40% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.6%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Waterville, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $99,000. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Waterville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 94.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waterville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
7.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 89.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterville, 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 Waterville, Iowa?
Waterville, Iowa has a population of 137 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterville, IA?
The median household income in Waterville is $44,750, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waterville, IA?
The poverty rate in Waterville is 6.6%. This means approximately 9 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterville, Iowa?
Waterville's population is 95.6% White, 0.0% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterville, IA?
The median home value in Waterville is $99,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Waterville, Iowa?
7.4% of adults (25+) in Waterville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.