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CITY

Ottosen

Iowa · 39 residents (2025 est.) · 0.486 sq mi
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The short version

Ottosen has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,667. Population has fallen 49% since 2000, a loss of 30 residents. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $50,000. With a median age of 53.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 44% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 53.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 120%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
31
−49%since 2000
from 61 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
64 / sq mi
−49%since 2000
from 126 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
53.8
+42%since 2000
from 37.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:39 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
21344861751990201020202024Ottosen
202431
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,667
−33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,000 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,913
+22%since 2000
from $15,525 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
6.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
22.6%
+18.8 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.229
−19%since 2010
from 0.283 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade9.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Information0%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
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
$50,000
+120%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $12,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
87.5%
−4.2 ptssince 2000
from 91.7% in 2000
12.5% rent
Vacancy rate
36.0%
+26.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
0.0%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2012
from 0.0% in 2012
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.2
+226%since 2000
from 0.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
30
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ottosen on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic100%(61)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.5%(29)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino6.5%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score15.1%(5)
Diversity Score
15
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.8%
+14.8 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.6%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 88.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.7%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Drive alone to work
72.7%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 77.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.1%
+9.1 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
18.2%
+10.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−14.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% 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
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−10.5 ptssince 2011
from 10.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
39.3%
−39.9 ptssince 2011
from 79.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
27.3%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.3%
−45.1 ptssince 2009
from 72.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 42.5% in 2009
Female
51.6%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 57.5% in 2009
Foreign born
3.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.6%
−41.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.6%
+8.3 ptssince 2012
from 14.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.5%
−75.1 ptssince 2013
from 81.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
100.0%
+40.7 ptssince 2017
from 59.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2016
from 98.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2016
from 1.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Ottosen, Iowa?

Ottosen, Iowa has about 31 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ottosen, Iowa?

The typical household in Ottosen, Iowa earns about $41,667 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ottosen, Iowa expensive?

In Ottosen, Iowa, the median home is worth about $50,000.

How educated are people in Ottosen, Iowa?

About 14.8% of adults age 25 and over in Ottosen, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ottosen, Iowa?

About 22.6% of people in Ottosen, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ottosen, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Ottosen, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 39 residents, a change of about -56 percent over that period.

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

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