Iola, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Iola, Wisconsin had a total population of 1,286, the 353rd largest village in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $44,735, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 1,230 | 1,286 | +4.6% |
| Median household income | $49,688 | $44,735 | -10.0% |
| Median home value | $150,200 | $164,200 | +9.3% |
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: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Iola Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Waupaca County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waupaca | 6,283 | $52,727 | 11.5% | $175,600 |
| Clintonville | 4,580 | $53,304 | 16.7% | $112,000 |
| Weyauwega | 1,789 | $66,625 | 10.6% | $152,100 |
| King | 1,399 | $84,183 | 7.7% | $145,900 |
| Manawa | 1,337 | $88,393 | 10.7% | $159,400 |
| Marion | 1,238 | $60,521 | 19.6% | $104,200 |
| Chain O' Lakes | 908 | $83,194 | 3.7% | $640,000 |
| Fremont | 650 | $68,750 | 13.1% | $235,300 |
| Scandinavia | 379 | $59,375 | 4.2% | $165,900 |
| Northport | 373 | $92,292 | 7.8% | $227,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurley | 1,354 | $47,083 | $86,700 | 18.1% | 14.6% |
| Crandon | 1,365 | $42,784 | $136,500 | 15.9% | 20.9% |
| Little Round Lake | 1,295 | $37,535 | N/A | 12.7% | 28.0% |
| Cornell | 1,307 | $55,192 | $155,800 | 14.1% | 13.4% |
| Keshena | 1,410 | $48,313 | $140,900 | 5.7% | 42.9% |
Population Overview
Iola is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Waupaca County. The total population is 1,286. It ranks as the 353rd most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Iola is 40.4 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years. 13.5% 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 Iola is $44,735. This is 42% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $164,200. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 52.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Iola is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.2%.
Education
17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Iola, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. 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, Wisconsin?
Iola, Wisconsin has a population of 1,286 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Iola, WI?
The median household income in Iola is $44,735, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Iola, WI?
The poverty rate in Iola is 13.7%. This means approximately 173 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Iola, Wisconsin?
Iola's population is 84.3% White, 4.4% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Iola, WI?
The median home value in Iola is $164,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Iola, Wisconsin?
17.2% of adults (25+) in Iola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.