Zearing, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Zearing, Iowa had a total population of 566, the 441st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $74,167, which is 1% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.4%.
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 2.1x.
Zearing Quick Facts
How Zearing 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 | 584 | 566 | -3.1% |
| Median household income | $67,031 | $74,167 | +10.6% |
| Median home value | $138,600 | $158,800 | +14.6% |
How Zearing 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Zearing Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Story County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | 67,669 | $60,991 | 25.4% | $277,400 |
| Nevada | 6,983 | $75,094 | 9.9% | $182,400 |
| Huxley | 4,544 | $112,094 | 4.5% | $297,100 |
| Story City | 3,398 | $96,605 | 12.6% | $215,600 |
| Roland | 1,559 | $79,028 | 1.1% | $185,900 |
| Slater | 1,401 | $97,500 | 3.8% | $232,800 |
| Gilbert | 1,381 | $122,656 | 3.4% | $274,600 |
| Maxwell | 905 | $97,639 | 4.1% | $184,600 |
| Cambridge | 803 | $57,333 | 11.2% | $178,100 |
| Colo | 686 | $64,000 | 6.4% | $152,000 |
Cities Similar to Zearing
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dows | 562 | $78,000 | $59,800 | 16.2% | 7.2% |
| Whittemore | 569 | $78,702 | $100,500 | 20.2% | 4.2% |
| Ireton | 552 | $71,250 | $156,600 | 22.8% | 18.7% |
| Norway | 546 | $76,667 | $158,400 | 19.7% | 7.9% |
| New Virginia | 587 | $77,188 | $180,600 | 26.2% | 1.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 566, Zearing'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
Zearing is a small community located in Iowa, within Story County. The total population is 566. It ranks as the 441st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Zearing is 34.7 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Zearing is $74,167. This is 1% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.4%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Zearing, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $158,800. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Zearing is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Zearing is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.2%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.2% vs 7.3%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
34.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% higher 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 96.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Zearing, 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 Zearing, Iowa?
Zearing, Iowa has a population of 566 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Zearing, IA?
The median household income in Zearing is $74,167, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Zearing, IA?
The poverty rate in Zearing is 15.4%. This means approximately 83 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Zearing, Iowa?
Zearing's population is 68.2% White, 1.2% Black, 15.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Zearing, IA?
The median home value in Zearing is $158,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Zearing, Iowa?
34.8% of adults (25+) in Zearing hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.