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CITY · 2010 ACS

Spirit Lake

Iowa · 4,840 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 $42,664. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $144,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 41.9
US median: 37.2
Average education
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,840
+14%since 2000
from 4,261 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,071 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 942 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
41.9
+5%since 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K5K5K6K1990201020202024Spirit Lake
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,664
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,224 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,875
+23%since 2000
from $18,661 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
22.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
9.5%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.389
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information16.7%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade14.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services6.6%
US avg: 7%
Public administration5.2%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing5%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.4%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$144,400
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $90,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$513
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $419 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
45.4%
−25.0 ptssince 2000
from 70.5% in 2000
30.8% rent
Vacancy rate
9.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
19.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.1%
+12.7 ptssince 2009
from 33.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.4
+36%since 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic96.6%(4,674)
Black0.2%(12)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(63)
Asian0.6%(29)
Other1.2%(58)
Diversity Score8.2%(397)
Diversity Score
8
+299%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 20.9% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
89.3%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 86.1% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.6 min
+28%since 2000
from 10.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
81.1%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 83.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
4.2%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.4%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
14.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
36.1%
−26.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Female
49.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
7.3%
−42.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Spirit Lake to nearby cities

SPIRIT LAKE VS
Spencer
Income$59,667+40%
Home value$184,800+28%
Population11,218+103%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPIRIT LAKE VS
Worthington
Income$61,797+45%
Home value$210,300+46%
Population13,979+153%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPIRIT LAKE VS
Fairmont
Income$53,084+24%
Home value$169,900+18%
Population10,099+83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPIRIT LAKE VS
Storm Lake
Income$62,765+47%
Home value$172,200+19%
Population11,590+110%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Spirit Lake, Iowa?

Spirit Lake, Iowa has about 4,840 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Spirit Lake, Iowa earns about $42,664 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 $144,400, and the typical rent is about $513 a month.

How educated are people in Spirit Lake, Iowa?

About 23.9% 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 9.5% of people in Spirit Lake, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Spirit Lake, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Spirit Lake, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 969 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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

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