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CITY

Paton

Iowa · 217 residents (2025 est.) · 0.562 sq mi
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The short version

Paton has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $63,393. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $75,000. Poverty is rare here, at 6.2% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
273
+3%since 2000
from 265 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
486 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 472 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.2
−15%since 2000
from 41.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:217 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1662012362713061990201020202024Paton
2024273
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,393
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,820
+89%since 2000
from $15,256 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.4%
+17.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.345
−6%since 2010
from 0.368 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade29.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade20%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services9.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration9.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Information7.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Transportation & warehousing4.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance4.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$75,000
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$525
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $350 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
84.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
15.2% rent
Vacancy rate
9.2%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
7.1%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
26.7%
+18.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.2
+18%since 2000
from 1.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
65
RELATED:See current rent listings in Paton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.1%(260)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(4)
Asian0.4%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.6%(12)
2024
White, non-Hispanic89.4%(244)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(24)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.8%(5)
Diversity Score24.1%(66)
Diversity Score
24
+420%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.9%
+14.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.8%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 84.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 1.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.4 min
+72%since 2000
from 15.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 81.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.7%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.1%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−13.6 ptssince 2011
from 13.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
75.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 76.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.0%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
24.7%
−25.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
60.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 58.3% in 2009
Female
39.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.5%
−47.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.5%
+4.9 ptssince 2012
from 7.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.7%
−94.6 ptssince 2013
from 98.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.8%
+5.2 ptssince 2017
from 79.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 99.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 0.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Paton, Iowa?

Paton, Iowa has about 273 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Paton, Iowa?

The typical household in Paton, Iowa earns about $63,393 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Paton, Iowa expensive?

In Paton, Iowa, the median home is worth about $75,000, and the typical rent is about $525 a month.

How educated are people in Paton, Iowa?

About 21.9% of adults age 25 and over in Paton, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Paton, Iowa?

About 6.2% of people in Paton, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Paton, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Paton, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6 residents, a change of about 2 percent over that period.

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

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