Waverly, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waverly, Iowa had a total population of 10,494, the 40th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $80,284, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 44.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
Waverly Quick Facts
How Waverly 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 | 10,446 | 10,494 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $78,429 | $80,284 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $215,200 | $223,300 | +3.8% |
How Waverly 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+)
Waverly Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Bremer County
Cities Similar to Waverly
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pella | 10,720 | $84,111 | $292,700 | 47.3% | 5.9% |
| Le Mars | 10,640 | $74,701 | $219,200 | 21.1% | 9.2% |
| Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $188,700 | 27.1% | 8.9% |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | $295,100 | 35.5% | 8.9% |
| Grinnell | 9,505 | $65,320 | $209,500 | 37.5% | 11.1% |
Population Overview
Waverly is a small city located in Iowa, within Bremer County. The total population is 10,494. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waverly is 32.8 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waverly is $80,284. This is 7% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 2% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $223,300. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Waverly is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waverly has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
44.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Waverly in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 40% 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 95.0%. Notably, 18.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waverly, 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 Waverly, Iowa?
Waverly, Iowa has a population of 10,494 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waverly, IA?
The median household income in Waverly is $80,284, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waverly, IA?
The poverty rate in Waverly is 10.9%. This means approximately 992 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waverly, Iowa?
Waverly's population is 89.3% White, 2.4% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waverly, IA?
The median home value in Waverly is $223,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Waverly, Iowa?
44.1% of adults (25+) in Waverly hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.