Iola, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Iola, Pennsylvania had a total population of 179, the 1752nd largest community in Pennsylvania. The poverty rate is 36.9%.
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 (36.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
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 | 129 | 179 | +38.8% |
| Median home value | $262,500 | $191,300 | -27.1% |
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 Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomsburg | 13,024 | $51,536 | 26.5% | $179,100 |
| Berwick | 10,317 | $49,800 | 16.5% | $156,500 |
| Espy | 1,624 | $79,038 | 2.3% | $166,900 |
| Catawissa | 1,536 | $51,992 | 16.4% | $145,900 |
| Almedia | 1,271 | $67,361 | 21.6% | $194,000 |
| Mifflinville | 1,193 | $48,173 | 15.3% | $215,300 |
| Lightstreet | 1,156 | $70,739 | 10.2% | $168,400 |
| Millville | 943 | $65,469 | 21.8% | $218,100 |
| Lime Ridge | 842 | $63,148 | 18.3% | $208,100 |
| Briar Creek | 828 | $42,647 | 39.8% | $160,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview | 179 | $80,000 | $131,300 | 28.4% | 1.7% |
| Mingoville | 180 | N/A | N/A | 11.1% | 0.0% |
| Leeper | 178 | $87,353 | $123,300 | 10.2% | 3.4% |
| Atkinson Mills | 181 | $77,188 | $164,700 | 3.0% | 8.8% |
| Elgin | 181 | $61,518 | $99,300 | 7.6% | 6.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 179, Iola'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
Iola is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Columbia County. The total population is 179. It ranks as the 1752nd most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Iola is 39.9 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 36.9%. This is 215% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 6.2%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $191,300. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $254,500. 32.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 53% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Iola has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.7% of all residents.
Education
9.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 71.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Iola, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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, Pennsylvania?
Iola, Pennsylvania has a population of 179 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Iola, PA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Iola — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Iola, PA?
The poverty rate in Iola is 36.9%. This means approximately 66 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Iola, Pennsylvania?
Iola's population is 92.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Iola, PA?
The median home value in Iola is $191,300.
How educated is Iola, Pennsylvania?
9.9% of adults (25+) in Iola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.