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CITY

Palo

Iowa · 1,551 residents (2025 est.) · 1.197 sq mi
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The short version

Palo is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $106,375. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 824 residents. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $282,400. At a median age of 32.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Poverty is rare here, at 5.5% of residents. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 32.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 63%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,438
+134%since 2000
from 614 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,201 / sq mi
+134%since 2000
from 513 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
32.7
−14%since 2000
from 38.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,551 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4337079811K2K1990201020202024Palo
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$106,375
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,558 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$40,829
+91%since 2000
from $21,429 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
79.0%
+22.7 ptssince 2009
from 56.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.5%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.294
+7%since 2010
from 0.275 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade11.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services8.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance6.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$282,400
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $95,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$717
−30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $563 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
97.5%
+12.9 ptssince 2000
from 84.6% in 2000
2.5% rent
Vacancy rate
1.7%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.0%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
16.7%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
+49%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.4%(604)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(4)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.4%(15)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.9%(1,351)
Black1.1%(16)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(8)
Asian0.2%(3)
Other4.2%(60)
Diversity Score14.4%(208)
Diversity Score
14
+491%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.2%
+17.0 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.2%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 91.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 2.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.4 min
+170%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.5%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 86.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.8%
−6.5 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
14.6%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.4%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.9%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 5.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
79.9%
−6.8 ptssince 2011
from 86.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
6.3%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
31.4%
−35.9 ptssince 2009
from 67.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Female
48.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.7%
−40.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
3.7%
−2.8 ptssince 2012
from 6.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.9%
−94.5 ptssince 2013
from 96.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
97.5%
+20.5 ptssince 2017
from 77.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 98.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.3%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Palo

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Head to head

Compare Palo to nearby cities

PALO VS
Cedar Rapids
Income$70,424−34%
Home value$187,100−34%
Population137,935+8793%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALO VS
Marion
Income$86,743−18%
Home value$241,700−14%
Population42,732+2655%
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PALO VS
North Liberty
Income$102,102−4%
Home value$303,800+8%
Population21,976+1317%
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PALO VS
Coralville
Income$69,144−35%
Home value$298,500+6%
Population23,960+1445%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Palo, Iowa?

Palo, Iowa has about 1,438 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palo, Iowa?

The typical household in Palo, Iowa earns about $106,375 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Palo, Iowa expensive?

In Palo, Iowa, the median home is worth about $282,400, and the typical rent is about $717 a month.

How educated are people in Palo, Iowa?

About 27.2% of adults age 25 and over in Palo, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Palo, Iowa?

About 5.5% of people in Palo, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Palo, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Palo, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 914 residents, a change of about 174 percent over that period.

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

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