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CITY

Independence

Iowa · 6,312 residents (2025 est.) · 6.028 sq mi
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The short version

Independence has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $73,806. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $165,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% 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
6,164
+2%since 2000
from 6,014 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,023 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 998 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.9
+5%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:6,312 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K6K6K6K6K1990201020202024Independence
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$73,806
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,554 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,961
+84%since 2000
from $20,683 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
49.2%
+22.9 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
7.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.401
−10%since 2010
from 0.446 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade20.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade5.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$165,300
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $76,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$820
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $371 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.7% in 2000
27.8% rent
Vacancy rate
5.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.1%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
31.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 31.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
+7%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
39
RELATED:See current rent listings in Independence on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.7%(5,873)
Black0.3%(17)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(30)
Asian0.8%(46)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.9%(232)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94%(5,794)
Black1.3%(82)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(117)
Asian0.4%(27)
Other2.3%(144)
Diversity Score14.4%(889)
Diversity Score
14
+274%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.7%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 17.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.6%
+10.0 ptssince 2000
from 85.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.3 min
+33%since 2000
from 15.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.3%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 77.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.0%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.8%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.3%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 5.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
68.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2011
from 67.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
31.0%
−33.9 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Female
51.5%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
−37.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.9%
+2.5 ptssince 2012
from 11.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.2%
−89.5 ptssince 2013
from 92.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.2%
+13.0 ptssince 2017
from 74.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.5%
+3.4 ptssince 2016
from 96.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.5%
−2.1 ptssince 2016
from 2.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Independence to nearby cities

INDEPENDENCE VS
Waterloo
Income$57,480−22%
Home value$152,600−8%
Population66,919+960%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
INDEPENDENCE VS
Cedar Falls
Income$76,987+4%
Home value$263,600+59%
Population41,240+553%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
INDEPENDENCE VS
Marion
Income$86,743+18%
Home value$241,700+46%
Population42,732+577%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
INDEPENDENCE VS
Waverly
Income$80,284+9%
Home value$223,300+35%
Population10,561+67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Independence, Iowa?

Independence, Iowa has about 6,164 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Independence, Iowa?

The typical household in Independence, Iowa earns about $73,806 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Independence, Iowa expensive?

In Independence, Iowa, the median home is worth about $165,300, and the typical rent is about $820 a month.

How educated are people in Independence, Iowa?

About 24.7% of adults age 25 and over in Independence, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Independence, Iowa?

About 7.6% of people in Independence, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Independence, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Independence, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 192 residents, a change of about 3 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 →