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CITY

Rock Rapids

Iowa · 2,733 residents (2025 est.) · 4.209 sq mi
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The short version

Rock Rapids has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $63,942. 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 roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $206,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 80%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,661
+3%since 2000
from 2,573 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
632 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 611 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.0
−6%since 2000
from 43.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,733 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Rock Rapids
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,942
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,135 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,022
+72%since 2000
from $18,035 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
44.5%
+21.2 ptssince 2009
from 23.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.394
−5%since 2010
from 0.416 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information15.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade15.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction4.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services2.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$206,700
+80%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$812
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $308 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
71.3%
−7.6 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
28.7% rent
Vacancy rate
14.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.8%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
18.9%
−21.1 ptssince 2009
from 40.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+80%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
50
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rock Rapids on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.1%(2,549)
Black0.2%(4)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(6)
Asian0.2%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.5%(37)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.7%(2,333)
Black0.5%(12)
Hispanic / Latino8.4%(224)
Asian0.3%(9)
Other3.1%(83)
Diversity Score27.9%(743)
Diversity Score
28
+1815%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 19.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.3%
+17.9 ptssince 2000
from 76.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.8 min
−10%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.1%
−16.0 ptssince 2009
from 88.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.0%
+11.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.7%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.8%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 5.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.5%
−8.1 ptssince 2011
from 70.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
21.7%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.3%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 64.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.6%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Female
48.4%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Foreign born
3.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.9%
−43.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2012
from 12.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.2%
−87.2 ptssince 2013
from 92.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.4%
+11.3 ptssince 2017
from 78.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2016
from 98.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.8%
+3.5 ptssince 2016
from 1.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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ROCK RAPIDS VS
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ROCK RAPIDS VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Rock Rapids, Iowa?

Rock Rapids, Iowa has about 2,661 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rock Rapids, Iowa?

The typical household in Rock Rapids, Iowa earns about $63,942 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rock Rapids, Iowa expensive?

In Rock Rapids, Iowa, the median home is worth about $206,700, and the typical rent is about $812 a month.

How educated are people in Rock Rapids, Iowa?

About 21.7% of adults age 25 and over in Rock Rapids, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rock Rapids, Iowa?

About 6.5% of people in Rock Rapids, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rock Rapids, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Rock Rapids, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 60 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

How we source and harmonize this data →