CensusEasy
CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Oelwein

Iowa · 6,493 residents · 4.814 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Oelwein has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $20,535. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $26,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 37.8
US median: 33.0
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
6,493
−3%vs 2000
vs 6,692 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Median age
37.8
−7%vs 2000
vs 40.8 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
6K6K6K7K7K1990201020202024Oelwein
20246K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 1990
Under 56.5%(419)
US avg: 7.3%
5 to 97.2%(466)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 147.9%(516)
US avg: 6.9%
15 to 196.3%(409)
US avg: 7.1%
20 to 244.5%(295)
US avg: 7.5%
25 to 3412.9%(835)
US avg: 17.5%
35 to 4414.5%(941)
US avg: 15.1%
45 to 548.1%(524)
US avg: 10.2%
55 to 6410.1%(658)
US avg: 8.5%
65 to 7411.2%(730)
US avg: 7.3%
75 to 846.9%(448)
US avg: 4%
85 and over3.9%(252)
US avg: 1.2%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$20,535
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $27,347 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$9,923
−43%vs 2000
vs $17,502 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
17.3%
+3.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 13.7% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$26,800
−33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $52,500 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$302
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $407 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
73.8%
+0.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 72.9% in 2000
26.2% rent
RELATED:See current rent listings in Oelwein on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.8%(6,408)
Black0.4%(28)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(153)
Asian0.4%(26)
Other0%
1990
White, non-Hispanic98%(6,362)
Black0.2%(14)
Hispanic / Latino2%(132)
Asian0.4%(27)
Other1.4%(90)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Mexican0.8%(48)
Cuban0.5%(30)
Asian origin
Asian Indian0.6%(35)
Cambodian0.3%(18)
Korean0%(1)
Ancestry
German32.1%(1,873)
American17.1%(1,000)
Irish16.5%(961)
English8.4%(488)
Norwegian3%(175)
Italian2.9%(168)
French2.1%(122)
Dutch1%(60)
Polish1%(57)
Welsh1%(56)
Swiss0.6%(36)
Swedish0.5%(30)
+ 12 more ancestry groups with data
Scottish0.4%(26)
Danish0.4%(25)
Hungarian0.3%(18)
Greek0.3%(16)
Scotch-Irish0.2%(13)
Latvian0.2%(11)
Portuguese0.2%(11)
Russian0.2%(11)
Ukrainian0.2%(9)
Belgian0.1%(6)
RANKED:Largest German population · Largest American population · Largest Irish population · Largest English population · Largest Norwegian population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.8%
+1.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 12.6% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
74.3%
−7.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 82.2% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
4.0%
+0.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 3.9% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.5 min
+29%vs 2000
vs 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married34.5%(783)
Married49.4%(1,123)
Widowed4.7%(107)
Divorced11.4%(259)
Women 15+
Never married22.7%(571)
Married46.2%(1,160)
Widowed15.3%(384)
Divorced15.7%(395)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

Places similar to Oelwein

Crystal Lake
Pop 5,451
Orlovista
Pop 6,890
Dundee
Pop 6,424
Lake Panasoffkee
Pop 4,768
Places similar to Oelwein
Head to head

Compare Oelwein to nearby cities

OELWEIN VS
Waterloo
Income$57,480+180%
Home value$152,600+469%
Population66,919+1062%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OELWEIN VS
Waverly
Income$80,284+291%
Home value$223,300+733%
Population10,561+83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OELWEIN VS
Cedar Falls
Income$76,987+275%
Home value$263,600+884%
Population41,240+616%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OELWEIN VS
Marion
Income$86,743+322%
Home value$241,700+802%
Population42,732+642%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Oelwein, Iowa?

Oelwein, Iowa has about 6,493 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Oelwein, Iowa?

The typical household in Oelwein, Iowa earns about $20,535 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Oelwein, Iowa expensive?

In Oelwein, Iowa, the median home is worth about $26,800, and the typical rent is about $302 a month.

How educated are people in Oelwein, Iowa?

About 13.8% of adults age 25 and over in Oelwein, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Oelwein, Iowa?

About 17.3% of people in Oelwein, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
Iowa
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Oelwein with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →