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CITY

Red Oak

Iowa · 5,388 residents (2025 est.) · 3.926 sq mi
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The short version

Red Oak has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $50,109. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $99,700. The poverty rate of 21.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 33% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,510
−11%since 2000
from 6,197 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,403 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 1,578 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.2
+1%since 2000
from 39.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,388 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K6K6K6K6K1990201020202024Red Oak
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,109
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,098 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,822
+82%since 2000
from $15,793 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.2%
+14.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
21.9%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.449
+8%since 2010
from 0.417 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information16.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing4.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Construction3.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration1.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$99,700
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $56,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$812
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
59.9%
−8.8 ptssince 2000
from 68.7% in 2000
40.1% rent
Vacancy rate
8.6%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.9%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
57.6%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
+6%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
34
RELATED:See current rent listings in Red Oak on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(5,974)
Black0.1%(7)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(133)
Asian0.4%(23)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.5%(402)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.7%(4,888)
Black3%(167)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(33)
Asian2%(109)
Other5.7%(313)
Diversity Score26.1%(1,436)
Diversity Score
26
+301%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.7%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.7%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 79.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.9 min
+65%since 2000
from 12.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 73.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.0%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.9%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 9.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.9%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 58.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
23.5%
−34.3 ptssince 2009
from 57.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
49.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
2.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.2%
−37.5 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
23.3%
+4.8 ptssince 2012
from 18.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.0%
−81.9 ptssince 2013
from 85.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.3%
+14.3 ptssince 2017
from 69.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2016
from 94.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.1%
−3.7 ptssince 2016
from 4.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Red Oak, Iowa?

Red Oak, Iowa has about 5,510 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Red Oak, Iowa?

The typical household in Red Oak, Iowa earns about $50,109 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Red Oak, Iowa expensive?

In Red Oak, Iowa, the median home is worth about $99,700, and the typical rent is about $812 a month.

How educated are people in Red Oak, Iowa?

About 17.7% of adults age 25 and over in Red Oak, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Red Oak, Iowa?

About 21.9% of people in Red Oak, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Red Oak, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Red Oak, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 754 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

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

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