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CITY

Melrose

Iowa · 108 residents (2025 est.) · 1.019 sq mi
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The short version

Melrose has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,250. Population has declined 12% since 2000. 4% 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 $75,000. With a median age of 51.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 25% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 51.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
4% 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
115
−12%since 2000
from 130 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
113 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 128 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
51.5
+10%since 2000
from 47.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:108 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
741101451802161990201020202024Melrose
2024115
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,250
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,583 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,000
+35%since 2000
from $15,507 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
16.3%
−10.2 ptssince 2009
from 26.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
28.7%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 21.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.277
−10%since 2010
from 0.308 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing35%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction35%
US avg: 1.2%
Information15%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance15%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical15%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade10%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing10%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food10%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$75,000
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
95.9%
+10.2 ptssince 2000
from 85.7% in 2000
4.1% rent
Vacancy rate
14.0%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
31.9%
+10.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.3
+14%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
17
RELATED:See current rent listings in Melrose on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.7%(127)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.8%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.9%(3)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.8%(109)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.9%(1)
Other4.3%(5)
Diversity Score12.5%(14)
Diversity Score
12
+543%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
3.7%
−8.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.2%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 82.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 2.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
36.0 min
+15%since 2000
from 31.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.0%
−20.0 ptssince 2009
from 100.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
20.0%
+20.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% 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
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
47.4%
+23.3 ptssince 2011
from 24.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
35.8%
−10.7 ptssince 2011
from 46.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
0.0%
−36.0 ptssince 2009
from 36.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.0%
−20.0 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
50.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.0%
−36.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2012
from 13.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.6%
−92.2 ptssince 2013
from 94.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.8%
+31.6 ptssince 2017
from 56.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2016
from 97.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−2.9 ptssince 2016
from 2.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Melrose, Iowa?

Melrose, Iowa has about 115 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Melrose, Iowa?

The typical household in Melrose, Iowa earns about $56,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Melrose, Iowa expensive?

In Melrose, Iowa, the median home is worth about $75,000.

How educated are people in Melrose, Iowa?

About 3.7% of adults age 25 and over in Melrose, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Melrose, Iowa?

About 28.7% of people in Melrose, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Melrose, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Melrose, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 25 residents, a change of about -18 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 →