West Chester, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Chester, Iowa had a total population of 178, the 723rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $49,375, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.1% is notably above the national average.
West Chester Quick Facts
How West Chester 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 | 168 | 178 | +6.0% |
| Median household income | $49,750 | $49,375 | -0.8% |
| Median home value | $73,800 | $80,300 | +8.8% |
How West Chester 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+)
West Chester 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 |
| Wellman | 1,454 | $57,560 | 3.6% | $174,500 |
| 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 |
| Coppock | 29 | N/A | 17.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to West Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford | 178 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Modale | 181 | $49,375 | $83,000 | 10.6% | 11.1% |
| Dundee | 177 | $51,875 | $139,300 | 7.6% | 10.7% |
| Washta | 180 | $46,979 | $48,600 | 9.9% | 9.4% |
| Westgate | 178 | $53,750 | $78,300 | 10.7% | 35.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 178, West Chester'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
West Chester is a small community located in Iowa, within Washington County. The total population is 178. It ranks as the 723rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Chester is 28.8 years. This is 25% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Chester is $49,375. This is 34% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.2%. This is 118% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 14.1%. This is 294% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $80,300. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, West Chester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
West Chester has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Chester, 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 West Chester, Iowa?
West Chester, Iowa has a population of 178 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Chester, IA?
The median household income in West Chester is $49,375, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Chester, IA?
The poverty rate in West Chester is 24.2%. This means approximately 43 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Chester, Iowa?
West Chester's population is 89.9% White, 0.0% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Chester, IA?
The median home value in West Chester is $80,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is West Chester, Iowa?
15.1% of adults (25+) in West Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.