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CITY

Promise City

Iowa · 90 residents (2025 est.) · 0.184 sq mi
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The short version

Promise City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,563. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 7% 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 $53,900. At a median age of 34.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 45% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
105
Unchangedsince 2000
from 105 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
571 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 571 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
34.7
−19%since 2000
from 42.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:90 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
631081542002451990201020202024Promise City
2024105
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,563
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $17,917 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,490
+111%since 2000
from $10,637 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
12.8%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.2%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.283
−37%since 2010
from 0.453 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade56.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing12.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction12.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services2.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Information0%
US avg: 10.8%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
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
$53,900
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$625
−28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $475 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.4%
−13.6 ptssince 2000
from 88.0% in 2000
25.6% rent
Vacancy rate
9.3%
−23.3 ptssince 2009
from 32.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
10.3%
−16.9 ptssince 2009
from 27.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−100.0 ptssince 2009
from 100.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.3
+4%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Promise City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.1%(103)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.4%(2)
2024
White, non-Hispanic97.1%(102)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.9%(3)
Diversity Score6.9%(7)
Diversity Score
7
+191%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.2%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.3%
+20.6 ptssince 2000
from 70.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.2 min
+90%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.6%
+23.3 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.4%
−23.3 ptssince 2009
from 38.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% 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
2.6%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−13.9 ptssince 2011
from 13.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.7%
−9.6 ptssince 2011
from 65.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
5.1%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
23.1%
−16.9 ptssince 2009
from 40.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Female
51.4%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.1%
−43.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2012
from 14.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.0%
−65.4 ptssince 2013
from 65.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.1%
+19.1 ptssince 2017
from 63.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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PROMISE CITY VS
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PROMISE CITY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Promise City, Iowa?

Promise City, Iowa has about 105 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Promise City, Iowa?

The typical household in Promise City, Iowa earns about $41,563 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Promise City, Iowa expensive?

In Promise City, Iowa, the median home is worth about $53,900, and the typical rent is about $625 a month.

How educated are people in Promise City, Iowa?

About 7.2% of adults age 25 and over in Promise City, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Promise City, Iowa?

About 16.2% of people in Promise City, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Promise City, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Promise City, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 33 residents, a change of about -24 percent over that period.

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

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