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CITY · 2020 ACS

Dows

Iowa · 521 residents · 0.769 sq mi
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The short version

Dows has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,760. Population has fallen 23% since 2000, a loss of 154 residents. Median home value is $40,500. Households here earn about 34% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 13%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
521
−23%since 2000
from 675 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
678 / sq mi
−23%since 2000
from 878 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.1
−3%since 2000
from 42.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4194895596286981990201020202024Dows
2024562
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,760
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,141 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,085
+59%since 2000
from $15,109 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
15.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.6%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade22.9%
US avg: 10%
Information20%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade15.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing1%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$40,500
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$551
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $386 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
75.2%
−3.8 ptssince 2000
from 79.0% in 2000
24.8% rent
Afford Score
1.0
−16%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic72%(375)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino24.6%(128)
Asian0.4%(2)
Other0.6%(3)
Diversity Score48.9%(255)
Diversity Score
49
+114%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.6%
+13.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.6%
+14.6 ptssince 2000
from 78.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
34.3 min
+138%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.3%
+18.9 ptssince 2009
from 64.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.4%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 3.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.5%
−5.9 ptssince 2011
from 60.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
21.9%
−26.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Female
49.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.3%
−58.5 ptssince 2013
from 66.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Pop 521
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Pop 499
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Head to head

Compare Dows to nearby cities

DOWS VS
Fort Dodge
Income$60,649+49%
Home value$144,100+256%
Population24,837+4742%
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DOWS VS
Mason City
Income$64,804+59%
Home value$142,000+251%
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DOWS VS
Ames
Income$60,991+50%
Home value$277,400+585%
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DOWS VS
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Income$69,222+70%
Home value$173,000+327%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Dows, Iowa?

Dows, Iowa has about 521 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Dows, Iowa?

The typical household in Dows, Iowa earns about $40,760 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 $40,500, and the typical rent is about $551 a month.

How educated are people in Dows, Iowa?

About 22.6% 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 14.6% 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 139 residents, a change of about -21 percent over that period.

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

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