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CITY · 2020 ACS

Rock Rapids

Iowa · 2,611 residents · 4.209 sq mi
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The short version

Rock Rapids has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $61,739. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $160,700. Poverty is rare here, at 2.5% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 69%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,611
+1%since 2000
from 2,573 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
620 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 611 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.3
−9%since 2000
from 43.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Rock Rapids
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,739
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,135 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,812
+65%since 2000
from $18,035 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
40.0%
+16.6 ptssince 2009
from 23.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
2.5%
−5.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12.9%
US avg: 10%
Information8.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance8.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services6.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food3.6%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services3%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$160,700
+69%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$650
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $308 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
22.9% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+45%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.4%(2,438)
Black0.5%(13)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(91)
Asian0.3%(8)
Other1.4%(36)
Diversity Score13.7%(358)
Diversity Score
14
+840%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.2%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.3%
+16.9 ptssince 2000
from 76.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.1 min
−15%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.5%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 88.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 5.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 70.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.2%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 64.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.1%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Female
47.9%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.1%
−86.3 ptssince 2013
from 92.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Rock Rapids to nearby cities

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ROCK RAPIDS VS
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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 2,611 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Rock Rapids, Iowa earns about $61,739 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 $160,700, and the typical rent is about $650 a month.

How educated are people in Rock Rapids, Iowa?

About 22.2% 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 2.5% 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 10 residents, a change of about 0 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 →