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CITY

Emerson

Iowa · 400 residents (2025 est.) · 0.255 sq mi
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The short version

Emerson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $49,063. Population has grown 19% since 2000. 10% 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 $119,500. With a median age of 45.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 35% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
570
+19%since 2000
from 480 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,235 / sq mi
+19%since 2000
from 1,882 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.4
+18%since 2000
from 38.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:400 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3353994635275911990201020202024Emerson
2024570
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,063
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,583 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,662
+113%since 2000
from $15,807 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
38.2%
+17.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.1%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.427
+24%since 2010
from 0.344 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade23.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$119,500
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,034
+93%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $294 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
82.5%
−6.7 ptssince 2000
from 89.2% in 2000
17.5% rent
Vacancy rate
12.8%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.6%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
11.6%
−47.2 ptssince 2009
from 58.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.4
+59%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
28
RELATED:See current rent listings in Emerson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(473)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(3)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.1%(10)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.4%(538)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(6)
Asian1.6%(9)
Other3%(17)
Diversity Score13.5%(77)
Diversity Score
13
+548%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
79.5%
−8.9 ptssince 2000
from 88.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.5%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.5 min
+57%since 2000
from 16.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
83.8%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.3%
−10.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.7%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.8%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% 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
8.9%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 9.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.5%
−13.4 ptssince 2011
from 67.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.4%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.7%
−28.0 ptssince 2009
from 62.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.7%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
52.3%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.8%
−33.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
24.4%
+4.7 ptssince 2012
from 19.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.7%
−79.1 ptssince 2013
from 84.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.7%
+16.3 ptssince 2017
from 67.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.4%
−2.7 ptssince 2016
from 99.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2016
from 0.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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EMERSON VS
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EMERSON VS
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EMERSON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Emerson, Iowa?

Emerson, Iowa has about 570 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Emerson, Iowa?

The typical household in Emerson, Iowa earns about $49,063 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Emerson, Iowa expensive?

In Emerson, Iowa, the median home is worth about $119,500, and the typical rent is about $1,034 a month.

How educated are people in Emerson, Iowa?

About 9.9% of adults age 25 and over in Emerson, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Emerson, Iowa?

About 15.1% of people in Emerson, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Emerson, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Emerson, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 91 residents, a change of about 19 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 →