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CITY

Dows

Iowa · 513 residents (2025 est.) · 0.769 sq mi
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The short version

Dows has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $78,000. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 113 residents. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $59,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% 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
562
−17%since 2000
from 675 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
731 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 878 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.3
−12%since 2000
from 42.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:513 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4194895596286981990201020202024Dows
2024562
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$78,000
+64%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,141 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,707
+103%since 2000
from $15,109 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
51.0%
+35.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
7.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.363
−11%since 2010
from 0.406 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information32.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade14.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing8.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance7.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services3.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$59,800
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$695
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $386 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
75.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 79.0% in 2000
24.7% rent
Vacancy rate
10.8%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
6.0%
−14.0 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
24.5%
−24.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
0.8
−35%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
76
RELATED:See current rent listings in Dows on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.8%(606)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino9.2%(62)
Asian0.9%(6)
Other0%
Diversity Score22.9%(154)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.1%(523)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino6%(34)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.9%(5)
Diversity Score16.3%(91)
Diversity Score
16
−29%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.2%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 8.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.7%
+19.7 ptssince 2000
from 78.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.5 min
+84%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
86.5%
+22.0 ptssince 2009
from 64.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
1.9%
−27.9 ptssince 2009
from 29.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.0%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.1%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 3.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.9%
+4.5 ptssince 2011
from 60.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
2.7%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
19.9%
−28.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Female
50.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.8%
−8.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.3%
−39.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.8%
+3.8 ptssince 2012
from 14.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.4%
−60.4 ptssince 2013
from 66.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
80.3%
+28.4 ptssince 2017
from 51.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.8%
+4.1 ptssince 2016
from 93.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.2%
−4.1 ptssince 2016
from 6.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Dows to nearby cities

DOWS VS
Fort Dodge
Income$60,649−22%
Home value$144,100+141%
Population24,837+4742%
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DOWS VS
Mason City
Income$64,804−17%
Home value$142,000+137%
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DOWS VS
Ames
Income$60,991−22%
Home value$277,400+364%
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DOWS VS
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Home value$173,000+189%
Population12,471+2331%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Dows, Iowa?

Dows, Iowa has about 562 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Dows, Iowa?

The typical household in Dows, Iowa earns about $78,000 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Dows, Iowa expensive?

In Dows, Iowa, the median home is worth about $59,800, and the typical rent is about $695 a month.

How educated are people in Dows, Iowa?

About 16.2% of adults age 25 and over in Dows, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Dows, Iowa?

About 7.2% of people in Dows, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Dows, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Dows, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 98 residents, a change of about -15 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 →

Dows, Iowa: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy