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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Buchanan County

Iowa · 20,565 residents · 571.079 sq mi
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The short version

Buchanan County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $67,252. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $143,200.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 25%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,565
−3%since 2000
from 21,093 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
36 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 37 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.8
+9%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
21K21K21K21K21K1990201020202024Buchanan County
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$67,252
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,036 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,287
+81%since 2000
from $18,405 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
45.0%
+18.7 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.4%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade19.7%
US avg: 10%
Information12.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction7.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$143,200
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $76,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$691
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $376 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
80.0%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 78.2% in 2000
20.0% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+6%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buchanan County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98%(20,667)
Black0.3%(54)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(131)
Asian0.4%(85)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.2%(674)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic95.1%(19,565)
Black0.3%(70)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(338)
Asian0.3%(52)
Other2%(411)
Diversity Score10.3%(2,126)
Segregation Score22.7%(4,660)
Diversity Score
10
+223%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
23
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.1%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.9%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 84.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.4%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.7 min
+42%since 2000
from 15.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.9%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 75.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.9%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 5.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 69.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.4%
−25.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Female
50.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.0%
−83.0 ptssince 2013
from 89.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Buchanan County

Banks County
Pop 21,273
Morgan County
Pop 22,095
Douglas County
Pop 19,880
Colusa County
Pop 21,836
Places similar to Buchanan County
Head to head

Compare Buchanan County to nearby counties

BUCHANAN COUNTY VS
Black Hawk County
Income$66,417−1%
Home value$188,900+32%
Population131,532+530%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUCHANAN COUNTY VS
Delaware County
Income$74,989+12%
Home value$177,900+24%
Population17,674−15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUCHANAN COUNTY VS
Fayette County
Income$60,165−11%
Home value$136,800−4%
Population19,047−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUCHANAN COUNTY VS
Benton County
Income$86,962+29%
Home value$208,200+45%
Population26,004+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buchanan County, Iowa?

Buchanan County, Iowa has about 20,565 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buchanan County, Iowa?

The typical household in Buchanan County, Iowa earns about $67,252 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buchanan County, Iowa expensive?

In Buchanan County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $143,200, and the typical rent is about $691 a month.

How educated are people in Buchanan County, Iowa?

About 22.1% of adults age 25 and over in Buchanan County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buchanan County, Iowa?

About 7.4% of people in Buchanan County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buchanan County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Buchanan County, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 279 residents, a change of about -1 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

6 census tracts
Census Tract 9506Census Tract 9505Census Tract 9502Census Tract 9503Census Tract 9504Census Tract 9501
10 ZIP codes
ZIP 50644ZIP 50629ZIP 50641ZIP 50682ZIP 52210ZIP 52326ZIP 52329ZIP 50650ZIP 50607ZIP 50654
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →