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CITY

Melvin

Iowa · 194 residents (2025 est.) · 0.162 sq mi
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The short version

Melvin has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $65,417. Population has declined 5% since 2000. 9% 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 $68,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
9% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
230
−5%since 2000
from 243 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,420 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 1,500 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.3
−12%since 2000
from 47.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:194 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1872242612973341990201020202024Melvin
2024230
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$65,417
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,750 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,240
+109%since 2000
from $17,827 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
45.5%
+31.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.4%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 8.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.493
+30%since 2010
from 0.380 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade21.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing16.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction16.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Information7.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade6.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing6.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical4.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services3.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$68,000
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$538
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $206 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
90.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 88.0% in 2000
9.1% rent
Vacancy rate
9.2%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
11.1%
−38.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.0
+9%since 2000
from 1.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
69
RELATED:See current rent listings in Melvin on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.2%(241)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.3%(187)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino15.2%(35)
Asian0.4%(1)
Other3%(7)
Diversity Score39.4%(91)
Diversity Score
39
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.7%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 0.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
72.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 73.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.2 min
+88%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
91.2%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 86.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.8%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.2%
−2.1 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
3.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2011
from 0.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.2%
+11.0 ptssince 2011
from 56.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
19.4%
−40.4 ptssince 2009
from 59.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
51.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.0%
−41.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
27.0%
+6.0 ptssince 2012
from 21.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.7%
−72.7 ptssince 2013
from 81.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.9%
+17.5 ptssince 2017
from 71.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
90.8%
+2.9 ptssince 2016
from 87.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
9.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2016
from 11.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Melvin, Iowa?

Melvin, Iowa has about 230 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Melvin, Iowa?

The typical household in Melvin, Iowa earns about $65,417 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Melvin, Iowa expensive?

In Melvin, Iowa, the median home is worth about $68,000, and the typical rent is about $538 a month.

How educated are people in Melvin, Iowa?

About 8.7% of adults age 25 and over in Melvin, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Melvin, Iowa?

About 14.4% of people in Melvin, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Melvin, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Melvin, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 13 residents, a change of about -5 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 →

Melvin, Iowa: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy