West Branch city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

West Branch city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 2,526. It ranks as the 145th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in West Branch city is 34.7 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.1% of the population under 18, West Branch city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in West Branch city is $87,891. This is 20% higher than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% higher. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is about average than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 0.4%. This is 88% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $226,700. Housing costs are 16% higher than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, West Branch city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

West Branch city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

28.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for West Branch city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.