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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Jefferson County

Iowa · 15,663 residents · 435.524 sq mi
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The short version

Jefferson County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,401. Population has declined 3% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $120,600. With a median age of 46.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
36% 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
15,663
−3%since 2000
from 16,181 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
36 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 37 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.3
+13%since 2000
from 41.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K16K17K18K18K1990201020202024Jefferson County
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,401
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,851 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,849
+47%since 2000
from $19,579 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.2%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 22.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.2%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 10.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12.8%
US avg: 10%
Information11.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services10%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration7.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$120,600
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$756
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $426 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
66.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 67.2% in 2000
33.8% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+18%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Jefferson County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.7%(15,329)
Black0.6%(102)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(297)
Asian1.7%(275)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.2%(1,654)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic85.7%(13,425)
Black2.6%(409)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(610)
Asian3.2%(500)
Other2.3%(363)
Diversity Score28.4%(4,442)
Segregation Score28.1%(4,404)
Diversity Score
28
+177%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
28
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.5%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 31.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.3%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 88.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
15.4%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.2 min
+59%since 2000
from 10.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 72.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.3%
+1.7 ptssince 2011
from 5.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.6%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 64.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
37.4%
−28.1 ptssince 2009
from 65.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
50.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
13.1%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.6%
−77.3 ptssince 2013
from 82.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Jefferson County

Carroll County
Pop 15,419
Washington County
Pop 14,822
Gulf County
Pop 15,943
Jefferson County
Pop 16,007
Places similar to Jefferson County
Head to head

Compare Jefferson County to nearby counties

JEFFERSON COUNTY VS
Van Buren County
Income$61,161+29%
Home value$114,600−5%
Population7,131−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
JEFFERSON COUNTY VS
Henry County
Income$67,436+42%
Home value$164,300+36%
Population19,349+27%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
JEFFERSON COUNTY VS
Wapello County
Income$64,766+37%
Home value$125,100+4%
Population35,210+130%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
JEFFERSON COUNTY VS
Keokuk County
Income$62,329+31%
Home value$118,700−2%
Population9,797−36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Jefferson County, Iowa?

Jefferson County, Iowa has about 15,663 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Jefferson County, Iowa earns about $47,401 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Jefferson County, Iowa expensive?

In Jefferson County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $120,600, and the typical rent is about $756 a month.

How educated are people in Jefferson County, Iowa?

About 36.5% of adults age 25 and over in Jefferson County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Jefferson County, Iowa?

About 13.2% of people in Jefferson County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Jefferson County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Jefferson County, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 647 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 904Census Tract 902Census Tract 901Census Tract 903.02Census Tract 903.01
7 ZIP codes
ZIP 52556ZIP 52533ZIP 52540ZIP 52635ZIP 52580ZIP 52557ZIP 52567
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →