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CITY

West Branch

Iowa · 2,956 residents (2025 est.) · 2.571 sq mi
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The short version

West Branch is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $92,209. Population has grown 19% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $216,100. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.7
US median: 38.9
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,594
+19%since 2000
from 2,188 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,009 / sq mi
+19%since 2000
from 851 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.7
+1%since 2000
from 36.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,956 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024West Branch
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$92,209
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,486
+117%since 2000
from $19,577 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
57.9%
+33.0 ptssince 2009
from 24.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.394
+12%since 2010
from 0.353 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade8.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information8.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Transportation & warehousing5.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services5%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$216,100
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $88,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,053
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $450 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
82.2%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 78.3% in 2000
17.8% rent
Vacancy rate
8.0%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.3%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 32.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.7%
+23.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.3
+12%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
46
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Branch on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.7%(2,095)
Black0.4%(8)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(38)
Asian0.9%(20)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.5%(163)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.3%(2,446)
Black0.3%(9)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(95)
Asian0.3%(8)
Other1.4%(36)
Diversity Score13.7%(354)
Diversity Score
14
+83%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.9%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 23.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.0%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 91.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.9 min
+105%since 2000
from 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.5%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 73.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.1%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.4%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.9%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.8%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 3.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
73.2%
−5.8 ptssince 2011
from 79.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.7%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.3%
−42.4 ptssince 2009
from 70.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.0%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.8% in 2009
Female
49.0%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 53.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.6%
−35.2 ptssince 2009
from 43.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.8%
−1.9 ptssince 2012
from 10.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.3%
−88.2 ptssince 2013
from 93.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.8%
+6.6 ptssince 2017
from 87.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 99.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare West Branch to nearby cities

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WEST BRANCH VS
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WEST BRANCH VS
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WEST BRANCH VS
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Income$58,117−37%
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Population23,164+684%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in West Branch, Iowa?

West Branch, Iowa has about 2,594 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in West Branch, Iowa?

The typical household in West Branch, Iowa earns about $92,209 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Branch, Iowa expensive?

In West Branch, Iowa, the median home is worth about $216,100, and the typical rent is about $1,053 a month.

How educated are people in West Branch, Iowa?

About 31.9% of adults age 25 and over in West Branch, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Branch, Iowa?

About 6.4% of people in West Branch, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Branch, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, West Branch, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 686 residents, a change of about 36 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 →