West Union, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Union, Iowa had a total population of 2,489, the 144th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $53,617, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.6%.
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 2.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
West Union Quick Facts
How West Union 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 | 2,393 | 2,489 | +4.0% |
| Median household income | $50,909 | $53,617 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $133,200 | $121,000 | -9.2% |
How West Union 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 Union Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Fayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oelwein | 5,834 | $46,653 | 18.5% | $96,300 |
| Fayette | 1,309 | $47,917 | 25.7% | $119,000 |
| Elgin | 735 | $54,688 | 3.7% | $98,800 |
| Clermont | 627 | $85,625 | 4.0% | $117,200 |
| Hawkeye | 482 | $62,813 | 3.9% | $84,600 |
| Maynard | 471 | $55,583 | 8.9% | $132,100 |
| Arlington | 427 | $38,958 | 15.0% | $112,000 |
| Waucoma | 291 | $78,750 | 3.4% | $122,700 |
| Westgate | 178 | $53,750 | 35.1% | $78,300 |
| Wadena | 177 | $38,750 | 27.8% | $94,200 |
Cities Similar to West Union
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwell City | 2,401 | $56,741 | $88,500 | 13.2% | 10.4% |
| Belmond | 2,694 | $56,528 | $129,100 | 29.9% | 19.8% |
| Lamoni | 2,207 | $54,554 | $113,400 | 41.9% | 16.6% |
| Marengo | 2,725 | $57,941 | $123,200 | 12.9% | 13.2% |
| Sibley | 2,803 | $55,070 | $122,000 | 22.9% | 23.5% |
Population Overview
West Union is a small community located in Iowa, within Fayette County. The total population is 2,489. It ranks as the 144th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Union is 41.7 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 14.7% 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 West Union is $53,617. This is 29% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $121,000. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, West Union is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
West Union has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.3%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% 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 91.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Union, 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.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of West Union, Iowa?
West Union, Iowa has a population of 2,489 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Union, IA?
The median household income in West Union is $53,617, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Union, IA?
The poverty rate in West Union is 11.6%. This means approximately 272 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Union, Iowa?
West Union's population is 86.0% White, 0.7% Black, 9.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Union, IA?
The median home value in West Union is $121,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is West Union, Iowa?
23.6% of adults (25+) in West Union hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.