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CITY

Mystic

Iowa · 316 residents (2025 est.) · 2.944 sq mi
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The short version

Mystic has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,000. Population has fallen 63% since 2000, a loss of 372 residents. 1% 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 $57,500. With a median age of 50.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 45% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 50.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
1% 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
216
−63%since 2000
from 588 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
73 / sq mi
−63%since 2000
from 200 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
50.6
+35%since 2000
from 37.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:316 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1792904025146251990201020202024Mystic
2024216
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,000
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,568 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,981
+111%since 2000
from $11,846 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
13.6%
+11.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.1%
−5.8 ptssince 2000
from 22.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.378
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.376 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade36.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information21.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services2.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade0.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
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
$57,500
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$469
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $331 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
78.8%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 80.9% in 2000
21.2% rent
Vacancy rate
22.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 24.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 20.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
76.0%
+17.4 ptssince 2009
from 58.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.4
+13%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
26
RELATED:See current rent listings in Mystic on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.1%(583)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96.3%(208)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.7%(8)
Diversity Score8.9%(19)
Diversity Score
9
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
1.2%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.1%
+17.8 ptssince 2000
from 73.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 1.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.8 min
+17%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.0%
−15.7 ptssince 2009
from 95.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.3%
+13.3 ptssince 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
2.9%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.8%
+3.8 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
8.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.2%
−8.9 ptssince 2011
from 18.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.0%
+4.4 ptssince 2011
from 60.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
1.9%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.3%
−27.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.4%
+8.7 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
Female
48.6%
−8.7 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
13.8%
−33.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
23.1%
+8.1 ptssince 2012
from 15.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.2%
−74.1 ptssince 2013
from 77.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.6%
+26.5 ptssince 2017
from 59.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 99.4% 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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Frequently asked

How many people live in Mystic, Iowa?

Mystic, Iowa has about 216 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Mystic, Iowa?

The typical household in Mystic, Iowa earns about $41,000 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Mystic, Iowa expensive?

In Mystic, Iowa, the median home is worth about $57,500, and the typical rent is about $469 a month.

How educated are people in Mystic, Iowa?

About 1.2% of adults age 25 and over in Mystic, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Mystic, Iowa?

About 17.1% of people in Mystic, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Mystic, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Mystic, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 325 residents, a change of about -60 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 →

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