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CITY

Northwood

Iowa · 2,056 residents (2025 est.) · 3.986 sq mi
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The short version

Northwood has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $63,450. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% 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 $130,300. With a median age of 47.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 25%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,040
Unchangedsince 2000
from 2,050 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
512 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 514 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
47.9
+9%since 2000
from 43.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,056 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Northwood
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,450
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,030 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,898
+103%since 2000
from $18,167 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
41.9%
+27.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.421
+10%since 2010
from 0.382 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade25.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5%
US avg: 1.6%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Construction3.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing1.6%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$130,300
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$706
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $340 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
82.5%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 73.6% in 2000
17.5% rent
Vacancy rate
2.9%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.5%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
34.0%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 39.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.1
+19%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
41
RELATED:See current rent listings in Northwood on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(1,976)
Black0.1%(2)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(49)
Asian0.2%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.6%(135)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.1%(1,899)
Black0.4%(8)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(75)
Asian1.6%(33)
Other1.2%(25)
Diversity Score16.5%(336)
Diversity Score
16
+149%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.9%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.4%
+11.4 ptssince 2000
from 83.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.4 min
+31%since 2000
from 14.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.8%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 78.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.2%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.5%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.9%
+5.8 ptssince 2011
from 2.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 65.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.1%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.1%
−24.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
53.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
2.8%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.9%
−35.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.9%
+5.8 ptssince 2012
from 12.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.8%
−82.5 ptssince 2013
from 90.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.3%
+20.9 ptssince 2017
from 63.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2016
from 98.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2016
from 0.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Northwood to nearby cities

NORTHWOOD VS
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Income$64,603+2%
Home value$157,500+21%
Population18,217+786%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NORTHWOOD VS
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Income$68,057+7%
Home value$163,900+26%
Population26,689+1198%
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NORTHWOOD VS
Mason City
Income$64,804+2%
Home value$142,000+9%
Population26,853+1206%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NORTHWOOD VS
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Income$80,750+27%
Home value$245,200+88%
Population26,633+1195%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Northwood, Iowa?

Northwood, Iowa has about 2,040 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Northwood, Iowa?

The typical household in Northwood, Iowa earns about $63,450 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Northwood, Iowa expensive?

In Northwood, Iowa, the median home is worth about $130,300, and the typical rent is about $706 a month.

How educated are people in Northwood, Iowa?

About 15.9% of adults age 25 and over in Northwood, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Northwood, Iowa?

About 8.8% of people in Northwood, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Northwood, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Northwood, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 84 residents, a change of about 4 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 →

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