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CITY · 2020 ACS

Spirit Lake

Iowa · 5,439 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 $52,664. Population has grown 28% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $163,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.5
US median: 38.8
Average education
31% 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
5,439
+28%since 2000
from 4,261 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,203 / sq mi
+28%since 2000
from 942 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.5
+7%since 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K5K5K6K1990201020202024Spirit Lake
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,664
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,224 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,835
+92%since 2000
from $18,661 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
37.2%
+17.5 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.2%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14.5%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Information7.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services2.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$163,600
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $90,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$859
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $419 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 70.5% in 2000
29.6% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+24%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.4%(5,079)
Black0.6%(31)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(144)
Asian0.5%(25)
Other2%(107)
Diversity Score13.7%(745)
Diversity Score
14
+567%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.4%
+10.5 ptssince 2000
from 20.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.2%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 86.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.9 min
+12%since 2000
from 10.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 83.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.4%
−5.7 ptssince 2011
from 6.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 71.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
38.2%
−23.9 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Female
51.4%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.3%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.9%
−91.6 ptssince 2013
from 94.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Spirit Lake to nearby cities

SPIRIT LAKE VS
Spencer
Income$59,667+13%
Home value$184,800+13%
Population11,218+103%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPIRIT LAKE VS
Worthington
Income$61,797+17%
Home value$210,300+29%
Population13,979+153%
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SPIRIT LAKE VS
Fairmont
Income$53,084+1%
Home value$169,900+4%
Population10,099+83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPIRIT LAKE VS
Storm Lake
Income$62,765+19%
Home value$172,200+5%
Population11,590+110%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Spirit Lake, Iowa?

Spirit Lake, Iowa has about 5,439 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Spirit Lake, Iowa earns about $52,664 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 $163,600, and the typical rent is about $859 a month.

How educated are people in Spirit Lake, Iowa?

About 31.4% 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 8.2% 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 1,568 residents, a change of about 41 percent over that period.

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

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