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CITY

Van Meter

Iowa · 1,978 residents (2025 est.) · 4.376 sq mi
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The short version

Van Meter is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $135,139. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 88% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $264,000. Poverty is rare here, at 2.6% of residents. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 80% more than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.0
US median: 38.9
More educated
43% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,628
+88%since 2000
from 866 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
372 / sq mi
+88%since 2000
from 198 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.0
+9%since 2000
from 34.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,978 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6729331K1K2K1990201020202024Van Meter
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$135,139
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,625 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$49,204
+143%since 2000
from $20,272 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
79.1%
+24.5 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
2.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.369
+3%since 2010
from 0.357 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services18.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration17.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade12%
US avg: 6.9%
Information10.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$264,000
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $93,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,063
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $455 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
92.6%
+15.3 ptssince 2000
from 77.3% in 2000
7.4% rent
Vacancy rate
1.0%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
8.0%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
13.5%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
+6%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
78
RELATED:See current rent listings in Van Meter on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.5%(844)
Black0.2%(2)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(12)
Asian0.6%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.4%(47)
2024
White, non-Hispanic97.3%(1,584)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(6)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.3%(38)
Diversity Score6.6%(107)
Diversity Score
7
+22%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
43.4%
+20.6 ptssince 2000
from 22.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.7%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 91.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.2%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+65%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.3%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 87.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.5%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.6%
+15.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.4%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2011
from 2.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
77.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2011
from 75.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.4%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
48.7%
−10.2 ptssince 2009
from 58.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.1%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Female
52.9%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.0%
−45.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
6.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2012
from 6.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.6%
−86.9 ptssince 2013
from 93.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.4%
+5.0 ptssince 2017
from 90.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 98.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 1.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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VAN METER VS
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VAN METER VS
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VAN METER VS
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Income$112,795−17%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Van Meter, Iowa?

Van Meter, Iowa has about 1,628 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Van Meter, Iowa?

The typical household in Van Meter, Iowa earns about $135,139 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Van Meter, Iowa expensive?

In Van Meter, Iowa, the median home is worth about $264,000, and the typical rent is about $1,063 a month.

How educated are people in Van Meter, Iowa?

About 43.4% of adults age 25 and over in Van Meter, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Van Meter, Iowa?

About 2.6% of people in Van Meter, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Van Meter, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Van Meter, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 869 residents, a change of about 114 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 →

Van Meter, Iowa: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy