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CITY · 2020 ACS

Northwood

Iowa · 2,072 residents · 3.986 sq mi
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The short version

Northwood has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $58,563. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $97,200. Poverty is rare here, at 4.3% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,072
+1%since 2000
from 2,050 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
520 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 514 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.9
−5%since 2000
from 43.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Northwood
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,563
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,030 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,342
+67%since 2000
from $18,167 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
43.4%
+28.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.3%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade22.9%
US avg: 10%
Information12.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance1.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing0.9%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$97,200
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$583
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $340 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
75.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 73.6% in 2000
24.8% rent
Afford Score
1.7
−4%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.6%(1,918)
Black1.2%(25)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(67)
Asian0.3%(7)
Other0.3%(7)
Diversity Score12.6%(260)
Diversity Score
13
+90%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.9%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.6%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 83.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.9%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.4 min
+52%since 2000
from 14.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 78.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.5%
+2.4 ptssince 2011
from 2.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.4%
+2.2 ptssince 2011
from 65.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
25.1%
−27.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
50.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.6%
−86.7 ptssince 2013
from 90.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Northwood to nearby cities

NORTHWOOD VS
Albert Lea
Income$64,603+10%
Home value$157,500+62%
Population18,217+786%
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NORTHWOOD VS
Austin
Income$68,057+16%
Home value$163,900+69%
Population26,689+1198%
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NORTHWOOD VS
Mason City
Income$64,804+11%
Home value$142,000+46%
Population26,853+1206%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NORTHWOOD VS
Owatonna
Income$80,750+38%
Home value$245,200+152%
Population26,633+1195%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Northwood, Iowa?

Northwood, Iowa has about 2,072 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Northwood, Iowa?

The typical household in Northwood, Iowa earns about $58,563 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 $97,200, and the typical rent is about $583 a month.

How educated are people in Northwood, Iowa?

About 18.9% 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 4.3% 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 116 residents, a change of about 6 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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