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CITY · 2020 ACS

Emerson

Iowa · 403 residents · 0.255 sq mi
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The short version

Emerson has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $53,750. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 77 residents. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $81,700. With a median age of 43.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
403
−16%since 2000
from 480 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,580 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 1,882 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.9
+14%since 2000
from 38.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3353994635275911990201020202024Emerson
2024570
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,750
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,583 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,817
+76%since 2000
from $15,807 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.8%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.8%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade12.4%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance8.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing5.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food5.6%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$81,700
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$693
+57%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $294 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
85.5%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 89.2% in 2000
14.5% rent
Afford Score
1.5
−1%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic94.5%(381)
Black0.5%(2)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(6)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score5.1%(20)
Diversity Score
5
+143%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.1%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.7%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 88.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.9%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.8 min
+29%since 2000
from 16.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
87.8%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 9.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 67.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.2%
−36.5 ptssince 2009
from 62.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
50.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.7%
−83.1 ptssince 2013
from 84.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Emerson

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Head to head

Compare Emerson to nearby cities

EMERSON VS
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Income$64,578+20%
Home value$171,800+110%
Population62,680+15570%
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EMERSON VS
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Income$85,462+59%
Home value$247,000+202%
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EMERSON VS
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EMERSON VS
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Home value$260,900+219%
Population16,543+4036%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Emerson, Iowa?

Emerson, Iowa has about 403 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Emerson, Iowa?

The typical household in Emerson, Iowa earns about $53,750 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 $81,700, and the typical rent is about $693 a month.

How educated are people in Emerson, Iowa?

About 11.1% 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 12.8% of people in Emerson, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Emerson, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Emerson, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 76 residents, a change of about -16 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 →