CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Sheldon

Iowa · 5,512 residents · 4.803 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Sheldon has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $54,931. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 21% 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 $142,500.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 37.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,512
+12%since 2000
from 4,914 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,148 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 1,023 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.0
−4%since 2000
from 38.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K5K6K1990201020202024Sheldon
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,931
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,058 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,430
+67%since 2000
from $18,254 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
37.4%
+13.5 ptssince 2009
from 23.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.2%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade20.8%
US avg: 10%
Information11.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction5.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$142,500
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$538
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $372 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
63.0%
−7.3 ptssince 2000
from 70.3% in 2000
37.0% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+13%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sheldon on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.7%(4,705)
Black0.4%(20)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(126)
Asian0.8%(38)
Other0%
Diversity Score9.1%(449)
2020
White, non-Hispanic83.1%(4,583)
Black1.3%(74)
Hispanic / Latino11.7%(647)
Asian1%(54)
Other0.2%(13)
Diversity Score32.1%(1,771)
Diversity Score
32
+252%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.3%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.9%
+13.9 ptssince 2000
from 78.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.0 min
+19%since 2000
from 10.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
73.6%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 77.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
16.5%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2011
from 0.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
71.3%
+5.2 ptssince 2011
from 66.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.5%
−31.6 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.7%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Female
47.3%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Foreign born
3.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.3%
−89.5 ptssince 2013
from 92.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Sheldon

Floral City
Pop 5,437
Naples Manor
Pop 5,501
Ocean City
Pop 5,941
Nassau Village-Ratliff
Pop 4,737
Places similar to Sheldon
Head to head

Compare Sheldon to nearby cities

SHELDON VS
Sioux Center
Income$92,983+69%
Home value$290,800+104%
Population8,864+59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELDON VS
Le Mars
Income$74,701+36%
Home value$219,200+54%
Population10,760+93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELDON VS
Worthington
Income$61,797+12%
Home value$210,300+48%
Population13,979+151%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELDON VS
Spencer
Income$59,667+9%
Home value$184,800+30%
Population11,218+101%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sheldon, Iowa?

Sheldon, Iowa has about 5,512 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sheldon, Iowa?

The typical household in Sheldon, Iowa earns about $54,931 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sheldon, Iowa expensive?

In Sheldon, Iowa, the median home is worth about $142,500, and the typical rent is about $538 a month.

How educated are people in Sheldon, Iowa?

About 21.3% of adults age 25 and over in Sheldon, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sheldon, Iowa?

About 11.2% of people in Sheldon, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sheldon, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Sheldon, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 569 residents, a change of about 12 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
Iowa
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Sheldon with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →