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CITY

West Union

Iowa · 2,424 residents (2025 est.) · 2.747 sq mi
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The short version

West Union has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,617. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $121,000. Households here earn about 29% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,489
−2%since 2000
from 2,549 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
906 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 928 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.7
+3%since 2000
from 40.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,424 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K3K3K3K1990201020202024West Union
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,617
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,515 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,792
+66%since 2000
from $17,937 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.1%
+14.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.423
+18%since 2010
from 0.360 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade18.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Information8.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services2.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance1.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$121,000
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$967
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $355 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
62.2%
−8.4 ptssince 2000
from 70.6% in 2000
37.8% rent
Vacancy rate
15.1%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.5%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
29.9%
−8.2 ptssince 2009
from 38.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.3
+20%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
27
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Union on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.7%(2,466)
Black0.2%(6)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(35)
Asian0.7%(17)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.6%(144)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86%(2,141)
Black0.7%(17)
Hispanic / Latino9.3%(231)
Asian2.7%(67)
Other1.3%(33)
Diversity Score31.3%(779)
Diversity Score
31
+454%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.6%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.2%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 86.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.7%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.5 min
+43%since 2000
from 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
85.9%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 79.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.8%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.8%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.7%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
11.4%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.4%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 5.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.9%
−6.0 ptssince 2011
from 62.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
24.9%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.0%
−33.7 ptssince 2009
from 61.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 44.5% in 2009
Female
51.4%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 55.5% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.3%
−38.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.6%
+2.2 ptssince 2012
from 13.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.4%
−88.0 ptssince 2013
from 95.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.4%
+16.9 ptssince 2017
from 65.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
87.3%
−10.4 ptssince 2016
from 97.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
9.9%
+8.3 ptssince 2016
from 1.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare West Union to nearby cities

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WEST UNION VS
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WEST UNION VS
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WEST UNION VS
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Home value$241,700+100%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in West Union, Iowa?

West Union, Iowa has about 2,489 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in West Union, Iowa earns about $53,617 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Union, Iowa expensive?

In West Union, Iowa, the median home is worth about $121,000, and the typical rent is about $967 a month.

How educated are people in West Union, Iowa?

About 23.6% of adults age 25 and over in West Union, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Union, Iowa?

About 11.6% of people in West Union, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Union, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, West Union, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1 residents, a change of about -0 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 →