Wellman, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wellman, Iowa had a total population of 1,454, the 221st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $57,560, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.6% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Wellman Quick Facts
How Wellman 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 | 1,539 | 1,454 | -5.5% |
| Median household income | $56,696 | $57,560 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $149,000 | $174,500 | +17.1% |
How Wellman 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+)
Wellman Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 7,290 | $55,373 | 12.8% | $152,300 |
| Kalona | 2,692 | $80,129 | 4.6% | $257,900 |
| Keota | 891 | $64,188 | 10.4% | $106,600 |
| Riverside | 890 | $84,091 | 2.3% | $183,700 |
| Ainsworth | 633 | $68,333 | 4.3% | $118,400 |
| Brighton | 588 | $50,481 | 29.7% | $92,900 |
| Crawfordsville | 312 | $75,625 | 6.1% | $79,200 |
| West Chester | 178 | $49,375 | 24.2% | $80,300 |
| Coppock | 29 | N/A | 17.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wellman
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ackley | 1,482 | $62,583 | $103,900 | 17.9% | 7.5% |
| Hartley | 1,553 | $57,656 | $112,700 | 13.6% | 12.5% |
| Woodbine | 1,471 | $50,804 | $168,900 | 21.5% | 12.6% |
| Greene | 1,339 | $56,335 | $120,700 | 29.7% | 17.3% |
| Montezuma | 1,410 | $65,660 | $179,400 | 19.3% | 12.5% |
Population Overview
Wellman is a small community located in Iowa, within Washington County. The total population is 1,454. It ranks as the 221st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wellman is 40.4 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 15.1% 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 Wellman is $57,560. This is 23% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.6%. This is 68% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $174,500. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 72.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wellman has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 93.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wellman, 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 Wellman, Iowa?
Wellman, Iowa has a population of 1,454 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wellman, IA?
The median household income in Wellman is $57,560, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wellman, IA?
The poverty rate in Wellman is 3.6%. This means approximately 49 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wellman, Iowa?
Wellman's population is 92.8% White, 0.6% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wellman, IA?
The median home value in Wellman is $174,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Wellman, Iowa?
20.3% of adults (25+) in Wellman hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.