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CITY · 2020 ACS

Ottumwa

Iowa · 25,529 residents · 16.064 sq mi
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The short version

Ottumwa has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,418. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% 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 $75,800. Households here earn about 31% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% 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
25,529
+2%since 2000
from 24,998 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,589 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 1,556 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.7
−4%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
24K25K25K25K26K1990201020202024Ottumwa
202425K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,418
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,174 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,602
+53%since 2000
from $16,040 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.9%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.1%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade26.9%
US avg: 10%
Information13.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$75,800
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$765
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $427 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
63.7%
−7.8 ptssince 2000
from 71.5% in 2000
36.3% rent
Afford Score
1.8
+15%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ottumwa on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.1%(23,514)
Black1.3%(313)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(691)
Asian0.8%(196)
Other0%
Diversity Score11.7%(2,929)
2020
White, non-Hispanic71.1%(18,163)
Black5.3%(1,347)
Hispanic / Latino15.7%(4,013)
Asian2.2%(571)
Other2.9%(748)
Diversity Score54.4%(13,880)
Diversity Score
54
+364%since 2000
from 12 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.1%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 15.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.0%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 79.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.3%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.1 min
+28%since 2000
from 12.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.7%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 76.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
−4.3 ptssince 2011
from 9.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 64.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
25.4%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 58.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
50.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
10.7%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.3%
−80.0 ptssince 2013
from 87.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Ottumwa to nearby cities

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OTTUMWA VS
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OTTUMWA VS
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OTTUMWA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Ottumwa, Iowa?

Ottumwa, Iowa has about 25,529 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ottumwa, Iowa?

The typical household in Ottumwa, Iowa earns about $42,418 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ottumwa, Iowa expensive?

In Ottumwa, Iowa, the median home is worth about $75,800, and the typical rent is about $765 a month.

How educated are people in Ottumwa, Iowa?

About 20.1% of adults age 25 and over in Ottumwa, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ottumwa, Iowa?

About 18.1% of people in Ottumwa, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ottumwa, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Ottumwa, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,041 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

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