CensusEasy
CITY

Dickens

Iowa · 145 residents (2025 est.) · 0.835 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Spencer micropolitan area
Compare
The short version

Dickens has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $71,250. Population has fallen 35% since 2000, a loss of 71 residents. 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $99,300. With a median age of 55.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 55.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
5% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 78%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
131
−35%since 2000
from 202 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
157 / sq mi
−35%since 2000
from 242 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
55.1
+41%since 2000
from 39.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:145 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1181571962342731990201020202024Dickens
2024131
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,250
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,167 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,338
+165%since 2000
from $13,344 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
48.2%
+31.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.357
−8%since 2010
from 0.386 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade24.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance8.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing6.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical6.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services2.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services1.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$99,300
+78%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
91.1%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 89.2% in 2000
8.9% rent
Vacancy rate
20.0%
+20.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.6%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 27.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−80.0 ptssince 2009
from 80.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.4
+101%since 2000
from 0.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in Dickens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.5%(197)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian1.5%(3)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.7%(7)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96.2%(126)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score9.2%(12)
Diversity Score
9
+148%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
4.9%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.2%
+21.8 ptssince 2000
from 70.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.4 min
+62%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
89.6%
+20.9 ptssince 2009
from 68.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.4%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−14.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.4%
−20.0 ptssince 2011
from 22.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.2%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 69.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.2%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
6.1%
−39.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
Female
44.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 43.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.2%
−47.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.7%
−3.6 ptssince 2012
from 17.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.5%
−90.1 ptssince 2013
from 91.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.6%
+15.3 ptssince 2017
from 79.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2016
from 99.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Dickens

Ferdinand
Pop 141
Manor
Pop 136
Waiohinu
Pop 152
Cloud Lake
Pop 141
Places similar to Dickens
Head to head

Compare Dickens to nearby cities

DICKENS VS
Spencer
Income$59,667−16%
Home value$184,800+86%
Population11,218+7637%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DICKENS VS
Storm Lake
Income$62,765−12%
Home value$172,200+73%
Population11,590+7893%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DICKENS VS
Worthington
Income$61,797−13%
Home value$210,300+112%
Population13,979+9541%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DICKENS VS
Fairmont
Income$53,084−25%
Home value$169,900+71%
Population10,099+6865%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Dickens, Iowa?

Dickens, Iowa has about 131 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Dickens, Iowa?

The typical household in Dickens, Iowa earns about $71,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Dickens, Iowa expensive?

In Dickens, Iowa, the median home is worth about $99,300.

How educated are people in Dickens, Iowa?

About 4.9% of adults age 25 and over in Dickens, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Dickens, Iowa?

About 6.2% of people in Dickens, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Dickens, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Dickens, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 81 residents, a change of about -38 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
Iowa
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Dickens with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →