Iola, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Iola, Kansas had a total population of 5,348, the 63rd largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $54,221, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.6%.
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 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.4% is notably above the national average.
Iola Quick Facts
How Iola 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 | 5,368 | 5,348 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $50,417 | $54,221 | +7.5% |
| Median home value | $78,100 | $78,300 | +0.3% |
How Iola 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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Iola Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Allen County
Cities Similar to Iola
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby | 5,387 | $63,494 | $163,000 | 37.0% | 8.0% |
| Concordia | 5,015 | $51,138 | $102,600 | 20.4% | 12.2% |
| Ulysses | 5,476 | $63,857 | $97,400 | 24.6% | 7.6% |
| Louisburg | 5,094 | $68,824 | $269,500 | 33.7% | 9.7% |
| Abilene | 6,449 | $57,924 | $131,500 | 22.3% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Iola is a small city located in Kansas, within Allen County. The total population is 5,348. It ranks as the 63rd most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Iola is 32.6 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Iola is $54,221. This is 27% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.6%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 115% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $78,300. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Iola is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Iola has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.2%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
23.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Iola, Kansas 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 Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. 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 Iola, Kansas?
Iola, Kansas has a population of 5,348 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Iola, KS?
The median household income in Iola is $54,221, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Iola, KS?
The poverty rate in Iola is 8.6%. This means approximately 425 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Iola, Kansas?
Iola's population is 85.1% White, 6.4% Black, 4.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Iola, KS?
The median home value in Iola is $78,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Iola, Kansas?
23.5% of adults (25+) in Iola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.