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CITY

Houghton

Iowa · 126 residents (2025 est.) · 0.296 sq mi
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The short version

Houghton is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $106,042. Population has fallen 45% since 2000, a loss of 58 residents. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $252,800. With a median age of 52.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 1.4% of residents. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 52.3
US median: 38.9
Average education
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 98%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
72
−45%since 2000
from 130 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
243 / sq mi
−45%since 2000
from 439 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
52.3
+18%since 2000
from 44.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:126 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
63911201481771990201020202024Houghton
202472
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$106,042
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$55,511
+189%since 2000
from $19,203 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
77.4%
+30.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
1.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.329
+12%since 2010
from 0.294 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information28.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing22.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction22.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade11.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance8.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services5.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$252,800
+98%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$900
+128%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $217 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
87.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 87.0% in 2000
12.9% rent
Vacancy rate
6.1%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
0.0%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
75.0%
+37.5 ptssince 2009
from 37.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.4
+62%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in Houghton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic100%(130)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.9%(64)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino6.9%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.2%(3)
Diversity Score25.4%(18)
Diversity Score
25
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.8%
+26.3 ptssince 2000
from 10.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
100.0%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 92.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.5%
+10.5 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.2 min
+104%since 2000
from 9.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.9%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 77.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.4%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−13.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2011
from 0.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.2%
−8.0 ptssince 2011
from 71.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.6%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
54.3%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.6%
+9.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
44.4%
−9.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
14.0%
−36.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
9.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2012
from 8.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.0%
−88.5 ptssince 2013
from 88.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.5%
+29.6 ptssince 2017
from 63.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Houghton to nearby cities

HOUGHTON VS
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Income$61,042−42%
Home value$160,900−36%
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SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HOUGHTON VS
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Income$50,705−52%
Home value$94,200−63%
Population9,935+7785%
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HOUGHTON VS
Fairfield
Income$51,311−52%
Home value$156,000−38%
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HOUGHTON VS
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Income$59,000−44%
Home value$114,300−55%
Population23,336+18421%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Houghton, Iowa?

Houghton, Iowa has about 72 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Houghton, Iowa?

The typical household in Houghton, Iowa earns about $106,042 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Houghton, Iowa expensive?

In Houghton, Iowa, the median home is worth about $252,800, and the typical rent is about $900 a month.

How educated are people in Houghton, Iowa?

About 36.8% of adults age 25 and over in Houghton, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Houghton, Iowa?

About 1.4% of people in Houghton, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Houghton, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Houghton, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 58 residents, a change of about -45 percent over that period.

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

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