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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Spirit Lake

Iowa · 3,871 residents · 4.521 sq mi
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The short version

Spirit Lake has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $22,972. Population has declined 9% since 2000. Median home value is $47,200. With a median age of 38.2, the population is older than the US median of 33.0.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 38.2
US median: 33.0
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,871
−9%vs 2000
vs 4,261 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
856 / sq mi
−9%vs 2000
vs 942 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
38.2
−4%vs 2000
vs 39.9 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K5K5K6K1990201020202024Spirit Lake
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$22,972
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $36,224 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$11,366
−39%vs 2000
vs $18,661 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
11.3%
+4.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 6.6% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$47,200
−31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $90,400 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$286
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $419 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
70.4%
−0.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 70.5% in 2000
29.6% rent
Afford Score
2.1
−18%vs 2000
vs 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Spirit Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.4%(4,193)
Black0.1%(6)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(27)
Asian0%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.1%(88)
1990
White, non-Hispanic100%(3,871)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.1%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score0.3%(12)
Diversity Score
0
−84%vs 2000
vs 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.8%
−6.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 20.9% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
83.1%
−3.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 86.1% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+0.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 4.0% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.8 min
+21%vs 2000
vs 10.6 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Spirit Lake

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Pop 5,501
Floral City
Pop 5,437
Elsmere
Pop 6,196
Ellenton
Pop 5,133
Places similar to Spirit Lake
Head to head

Compare Spirit Lake to nearby cities

SPIRIT LAKE VS
Spencer
Income$59,667+160%
Home value$184,800+292%
Population11,218+103%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPIRIT LAKE VS
Worthington
Income$61,797+169%
Home value$210,300+346%
Population13,979+153%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPIRIT LAKE VS
Fairmont
Income$53,084+131%
Home value$169,900+260%
Population10,099+83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPIRIT LAKE VS
Storm Lake
Income$62,765+173%
Home value$172,200+265%
Population11,590+110%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Spirit Lake, Iowa?

Spirit Lake, Iowa has about 3,871 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Spirit Lake, Iowa?

The typical household in Spirit Lake, Iowa earns about $22,972 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Spirit Lake, Iowa expensive?

In Spirit Lake, Iowa, the median home is worth about $47,200, and the typical rent is about $286 a month.

How educated are people in Spirit Lake, Iowa?

About 14.8% of adults age 25 and over in Spirit Lake, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Spirit Lake, Iowa?

About 11.3% of people in Spirit Lake, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →