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CITY · 2020 ACS

Promise City

Iowa · 88 residents · 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 $28,438. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 17 residents. 2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $43,600. The poverty rate of 29.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 54% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
2% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
88
−16%since 2000
from 105 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
478 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 571 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.0
−7%since 2000
from 42.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
631081542002451990201020202024Promise City
2024105
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$28,438
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $17,917 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,296
+81%since 2000
from $10,637 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
7.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
29.2%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade29.6%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing18.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction18.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Information0%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$43,600
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
85.7%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 88.0% in 2000
14.3% rent
Afford Score
1.5
+23%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic98.9%(87)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score0%(0)
Diversity Score
0
−100%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
1.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.2%
+15.5 ptssince 2000
from 70.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
0.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
33.5 min
+105%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
100.0%
+38.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.8%
+9.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−13.9 ptssince 2011
from 13.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
43.5%
−21.8 ptssince 2011
from 65.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
22.2%
−17.8 ptssince 2009
from 40.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
38.9%
−13.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Female
61.1%
+13.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.8%
−62.6 ptssince 2013
from 65.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Promise City to nearby cities

PROMISE CITY VS
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Income$61,103+115%
Home value$106,300+144%
Population25,319+28032%
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PROMISE CITY VS
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Income$64,004+125%
Home value$153,300+252%
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PROMISE CITY VS
Pella
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PROMISE CITY VS
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Home value$237,500+445%
Population16,829+18599%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Promise City, Iowa?

Promise City, Iowa has about 88 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Promise City, Iowa earns about $28,438 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 $43,600.

How educated are people in Promise City, Iowa?

About 1.7% 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 29.2% 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 50 residents, a change of about -36 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →