Westgate, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Westgate, Iowa had a total population of 178, the 723rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $53,750, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
Westgate Quick Facts
How Westgate 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 | 211 | 178 | -15.6% |
| Median household income | $52,188 | $53,750 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $92,500 | $78,300 | -15.4% |
How Westgate 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+)
Westgate 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 |
| West Union | 2,489 | $53,617 | 11.6% | $121,000 |
| 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 |
| Wadena | 177 | $38,750 | 27.8% | $94,200 |
Cities Similar to Westgate
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% |
| Dundee | 177 | $51,875 | $139,300 | 7.6% | 10.7% |
| Harvey | 174 | $52,250 | $77,500 | 13.0% | 9.2% |
| West Chester | 178 | $49,375 | $80,300 | 15.1% | 24.2% |
| Modale | 181 | $49,375 | $83,000 | 10.6% | 11.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 178, Westgate'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
Westgate is a small community located in Iowa, within Fayette 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 Westgate is 36.5 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Westgate is $53,750. This is 28% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.1%. This is 216% 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 2.6%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $78,300. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Westgate is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Westgate has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 7.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (7.9% vs 3.8%).
Education
10.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 92.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Westgate, 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 Westgate, Iowa?
Westgate, 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 Westgate, IA?
The median household income in Westgate is $53,750, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Westgate, IA?
The poverty rate in Westgate is 35.1%. This means approximately 61 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Westgate, Iowa?
Westgate's population is 86.5% White, 7.9% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Westgate, IA?
The median home value in Westgate is $78,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Westgate, Iowa?
10.7% of adults (25+) in Westgate hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.