Wayland, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wayland, Iowa had a total population of 1,191, the 250th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $70,774, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Wayland Quick Facts
How Wayland 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 | 1,140 | 1,191 | +4.5% |
| Median household income | $67,000 | $70,774 | +5.6% |
| Median home value | $122,200 | $135,500 | +10.9% |
How Wayland 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+)
Wayland Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Henry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | 8,951 | $61,042 | 15.7% | $160,900 |
| New London | 2,338 | $77,560 | 8.4% | $139,600 |
| Winfield | 1,007 | $49,063 | 9.8% | $100,000 |
| Salem | 349 | $51,250 | 18.1% | $85,700 |
| Westwood | 130 | $110,833 | 0.0% | $290,000 |
| Hillsboro | 120 | $53,125 | 15.0% | $55,000 |
| Swedesburg | 119 | $74,861 | 24.4% | N/A |
| Mount Union | 111 | $50,500 | 10.8% | $96,100 |
| Rome | 79 | $39,000 | 20.3% | $65,000 |
| Trenton | 75 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wayland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conrad | 1,191 | $73,292 | $164,700 | 24.0% | 5.2% |
| Lake Park | 1,184 | $74,500 | $168,800 | 13.9% | 4.6% |
| Glidden | 1,169 | $68,333 | $154,200 | 23.9% | 11.7% |
| St. Ansgar | 1,206 | $76,458 | $152,500 | 32.1% | 5.4% |
| Marcus | 1,180 | $77,981 | $200,000 | 23.0% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Wayland is a small community located in Iowa, within Henry County. The total population is 1,191. It ranks as the 250th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wayland is 42.2 years. This is 9% 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 Wayland is $70,774. This is 6% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.0%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Wayland, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $135,500. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Wayland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wayland has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.3%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 95.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wayland, 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 Wayland, Iowa?
Wayland, Iowa has a population of 1,191 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wayland, IA?
The median household income in Wayland is $70,774, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wayland, IA?
The poverty rate in Wayland is 9.0%. This means approximately 104 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wayland, Iowa?
Wayland's population is 91.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wayland, IA?
The median home value in Wayland is $135,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Wayland, Iowa?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Wayland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.