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CITY

Dakota City

Iowa · 747 residents (2025 est.) · 0.73 sq mi
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The short version

Dakota City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $60,417. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 159 residents. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $119,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
752
−17%since 2000
from 911 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,030 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 1,248 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.7
+24%since 2000
from 34.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:747 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6827758699621K1990201020202024Dakota City
2024752
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,417
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,977 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,508
+130%since 2000
from $15,441 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.6%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 29.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.398
+18%since 2010
from 0.338 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade21.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information14.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance7.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 5.1%
Construction3.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services3.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing2.3%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services0.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$119,800
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$965
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $424 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
78.4%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 82.0% in 2000
21.6% rent
Vacancy rate
12.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.0%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
20.8%
−27.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
+1%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Dakota City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98%(893)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(13)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.8%(35)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.8%(660)
Black0.7%(5)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(9)
Asian0%(0)
Other10.4%(78)
Diversity Score27.3%(206)
Diversity Score
27
+619%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.6%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.1%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 86.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.2%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 0.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.4 min
+30%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.9%
−21.9 ptssince 2009
from 89.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.1%
+8.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
18.7%
+16.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.1%
+6.9 ptssince 2011
from 2.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
76.1%
+2.0 ptssince 2011
from 74.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.8%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.3%
−38.1 ptssince 2009
from 59.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Female
49.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Foreign born
8.8%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.6%
−45.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2012
from 12.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.6%
−89.9 ptssince 2013
from 93.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.0%
+20.8 ptssince 2017
from 67.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
88.3%
−7.4 ptssince 2016
from 95.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2016
from 4.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Head to head

Compare Dakota City to nearby cities

DAKOTA CITY VS
Fort Dodge
Income$60,649same
Home value$144,100+20%
Population24,837+3225%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DAKOTA CITY VS
Boone
Income$69,222+15%
Home value$173,000+44%
Population12,471+1569%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DAKOTA CITY VS
Storm Lake
Income$62,765+4%
Home value$172,200+44%
Population11,590+1452%
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DAKOTA CITY VS
Ames
Income$60,991+1%
Home value$277,400+132%
Population68,220+9033%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Dakota City, Iowa?

Dakota City, Iowa has about 752 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Dakota City, Iowa?

The typical household in Dakota City, Iowa earns about $60,417 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Dakota City, Iowa expensive?

In Dakota City, Iowa, the median home is worth about $119,800, and the typical rent is about $965 a month.

How educated are people in Dakota City, Iowa?

About 7.6% of adults age 25 and over in Dakota City, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Dakota City, Iowa?

About 6.3% of people in Dakota City, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Dakota City, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Dakota City, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 272 residents, a change of about -27 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →